[Nethra K Putti]

SAARC - SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION

ORIGIN :

* the idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first mooted in May 1980.
* the Foreign Secretaries of seven countries met for first time in Colombo in April 1981.
* a committee meeting in Colombo in August 1981 identified 5 broad areas for regional cooperation.
* the Declaration on SAARC was adopted by the Foreign Mnisters in 1983 in New Delhi.
* during the meeting, the ministers also launched the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) in 9 agreed areas.
* these are agriculture, rural development, telecommunications, meteorology; health & population activites, transport, postal services, science & technology & sports, arts & culture.

OBJECTIVES OF SAARC :

• to promote teh welfare of the people of South Asia & to improve their quality of life.
• to accelerate economic growth, social progress & cultural developments in the region & to provide all individuals the oppertunity to live in dignity & to realize their full potential.
• to promote & strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.
• to contribute to mutual trust, understanding & appreciation of one another's problem.
• to promote active collaboration & mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural , technical & scientific fields.
• to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
• to cooperate with international & regional organizations with similar aims & purpose.

EVOLUTION OF SAARC :
* Foundation :
- SAARC was established when its Charter was formally adopted on Dec 8 1985 by the Heads of Governments of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka.

* cooperation in the SAARC is based on repsect for the principles of Sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, noninterference in internal affairs of the member states & mutual benifit.

* regional cooperation is seen as a complement to the bilateral & multilateral relations of SAARC member states.

* decisions are taken on the basis of unanimity.

* summit meetings which are highest authority in SAARC are to be held annually.

* the countries hosting the summit holds the Chair of the Association.

* Bangladesh which hosted the 13th summit in Jan 2005 is the current Chairperson of the Association.

* council of ministers comprising Foreign ministers, meets at least twice a year.

* the council held 24 regular sessions upto Jan 2004.

* its functions include formulating policy, reviewing progress of regional cooperation, identifying new areas of cooperation & establishing additional mechanisms that may be necessary.

* the agreement on SAARC Preferntial Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) was signed in 1993 & 4 rounds of trade negotiations have been concluded.

SAARC SECRETARIAT :

- it is based in Kathmandu.
- it coordinates & monitors implementation of activities, prepares for & services meetings, & serve as channel of communication between the association & its member states as well as other regional organisations.
- teh secretariat is headed by the secretary general, who is appointed by the council of ministers from member countries in alphabetical order for a 3-year term.
- the current secretary general is Q.A.M.A. Rahim from Bangladesh.
- the next secretary general is to be from Bhutan.
- the secretary general is assisted by 7 directors on deputation from member states.
- the SAARC secretariat & Member states observes 8 Dec as the SAARC Charter Day.

SAARC SUMMITS HELD SINCE 1985 :
SL.NO = DATES = PLACE

1 = 7-8 dec 1985 = Dhaka
2 = 16-17 nov 1986 = Bangalore
3 = 2-4 nov 1987 = Kathmandu
4 = 29-31 dec 1988 = Islamabad
5 = 21-23 nov 1990 = Male'
6 = 21 dec 1991 = Colombo
7 = 10-11 april 1993 = Dhaka
8 = 2-4 may 1995 = New Delhi
9 = 12-14 may 1997 = Male'
10 = 29-31 july 1998 = Colombo
11 = 4-6 jan 2002 = Kathmandu
12 = 2-6 jan 2004 = Islamabad
13 = 2-6 jan 2006 = Dhaka.

SAARC DECADES :
* 1991-2000 = Decade of teh Girl Child
* 2001-2010 = Decade of Rights of the Child.

SAARC DESIGNATED YEARS :
* 1989 = year of Combating Drug Abuse & Drug Trafficking
* 1990 = year of girl child
* 1991 = year of shelter
* 1992 = year of environment
* 1993 = year of disable person
* 1994 = year of the youth
* 1995 = year of poverty eradication
* 1996 = year of literacy
* 1997 = year of participatory governance
* 1999 = year of biodiversity
* 2002-2003 = year of contribution of youth to environment
* 2004 = awareness year for TB & HIv/AIDS
* 2005 = South Asia Tourism year.