South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 4.21% (US$3.67 trillion) of the global economy, as of 2019. The organization promotes development of economic and regional integration. It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006. SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including the European Union.

History

SAARC was founded in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The organization promotes development of economic and regional integration. It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006. SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including the European Union.

Objectives

The main objectives of SAARC as defined in its charter are:

• To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;
• To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential;
• To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;
• To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest; and
• To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

Organizational Structure

The highest authority of the association is the Heads of State or Government, who meet annually at Summit level. The Council of Foreign Ministers, which meets bi-annually, formulates policy, reviews progress, decides on new areas of cooperation, and establishes additional mechanisms as deemed necessary. The Council is supported by a Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries and various technical committees and specialized working groups.

The SAARC Secretariat is based in Kathmandu and coordinates and monitors the implementation of SAARC activities, prepares for and services meetings of the association, and serves as a channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations.

Achievements

• South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA): SAFTA was launched in 2006 to reduce customs duties of all traded goods to zero by the year 2016.
• SAARC Development Fund (SDF): The SDF was established in 2010 to improve the livelihood of the people and to accelerate economic growth, social progress and poverty alleviation in the region.
• South Asian University (SAU): SAU was established in 2010 as a region-wide institution of higher education and research.
• SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC): SAC was established in 1988 to promote research and development in agriculture, with a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in the region.
• SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC): SCC was established in 2009 to promote cultural cooperation and people-to-people contact among the member states.

Challenges and Way Forward

Despite its achievements, SAARC has faced several challenges in recent years.

To address these challenges and to realize the full potential of regional cooperation, SAARC needs to take several steps, such as:

• Promoting political dialogue and confidence-building measures among member states to reduce tensions and foster mutual trust.
• Accelerating the implementation of SAFTA and other economic initiatives to boost regional trade and investment.
• Investing in regional infrastructure and connectivity projects to facilitate the movement of goods and people across the region.
• Strengthening cooperation in areas such as health, education, and climate change to address common challenges and promote sustainable development.
• Engaging with other regional and international organizations to leverage their expertise and resources for the benefit of the region.

SAARC has played a significant role in promoting regional cooperation and integration in South Asia. Despite the challenges it has faced, the organization has made notable achievements in areas such as trade, agriculture, education, and culture. However, much more needs to be done to realize the full potential of regional cooperation and to address the common challenges faced by the member states.