The Secretariat comprises the secretary-general, seven directors, and the general services staff. They discussed the question of according Afghanistan SAARC membership and considered at length China's request to establish ties with SAARC. While welcoming the measures being considered for arms reduction at the global level, they were convinced that the objective could be best achieved through the promotion of mutual trust and confidence among the Member States. The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first raised in November 1980. FDI in South Asia: A Brief Overview 3. They recognized that mankind was confronted with the threat of self-extinction arising from a massive accumulation of the most destructive weapons ever produced and that the arms race intensified international tension and violated the principles of the UN Charter. The Member States hoped that these developments would restrain the pursuit of military power in all areas of the world and expressed hope that the peace dividend would be used for promoting the further development of developing countries. China and Japan were accorded observer status. They also emphasized that international cooperation to combat terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant international conventions. The Heads of State or Government again underscored the importance of controlling terrorism in the region, calling on deepened cooperation and improvements on implementing the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and the Additional Protocol to the SAARC Regional Convention. They also emphasized the need for an early conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Article 18. Background 2. The Fifty-eighth Session of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) commenced in virtual mode, this morning. They reiterated that the real protection of small States should be firmly rooted in the scrupulous adherence to the UN Charter, and the rule of law and the strict adherence to universally accepted principles and norms related to sovereign rights and territorial integrity of all States, irrespective of size. They agreed that global nonproliferation goals could not be achieved in the absence of progress towards nuclear disarmament and in this context called upon all nuclear weapon States (NWS), whether party or non-party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to engage constructively through a transparent and credible process of negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament (CD). Member countries adopted the 53-point Dhaka declaration aimed at focusing regional cooperation in South Asia to accelerate growth and progress. The 24th meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers convened in Islamabad, Pakistan from 2-3 January. Nuclear Threat Initiative Member states also participated in bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit. South Asian region is not without water sharing arrangements, including treaties, we do not really have principles of water sharing. They declared their intention to continue their efforts to contribute to the realization of the objective of halting the nuclear arms race and eliminating nuclear weapons, as well as declared their resolve to support every effort to conclude a treaty prohibiting vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. In this context, they called on all States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts by criminalizing the collection of funds for such acts and refraining from organizing, instigating, assisting, or participating in terrorist acts in States or acquiescing in organized activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts. They recognized that global nonproliferation goals could not be achieved in the absence of progress towards nuclear disarmament and in this context called upon all NWS, whether party or non-party to the NPT, to engage constructively through a transparent and credible process of negotiations at the CD. Copyright 2021. In this regard, they emphasized the need for the urgent conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on Combating International Terrorism. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, signed at the First ASEAN Summit on 24 February 1976, declared that in their relations with one another, the High Contracting Parties should be guided by the following fundamental principles: 1. A proposal to establish a regional law enforcement agency—SAARCPOL—was referred to ministers for further study. Re-affirming that the principal goal of SAARC is to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, to improve their quality of life, to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential. Other key events included endorsement of the SDGs and establishment of the SAARC Poverty Alleviation Fund. They called upon the international community to assist Member States of SAARC to deal effectively with the adverse economic effects of terrorism in general and to meet the rising insurance and security-related costs in particular. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Integration (SARI/EI) program in 2000, to address cross-border energy trade, energy market formation, and clean energy development in and among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (SARI/EI, n.d.). Development cooperation between the EU and the countries of South Asia covers financial and technical aid as well as economic cooperation. The 22nd session of the Council of Ministers was held from 2-3 January in Kathmandu, Nepal. They reiterated that the utmost priority was to be given to nuclear disarmament, given the danger posed by nuclear weapons. Heads of State and Government condemned terrorist violence in all forms and stated that terrorism continues to be a major threat in South Asia, as well as a challenge to all States worldwide. Play the new NTI game "Hair Trigger" to learn more. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was welcomed as the eighth member of SAARC. They underscored their commitment to general and complete disarmament including nuclear disarmament on a universal basis, under effective international control. cooperation in South Asia (SDG 1,2) •Studies consider South Asia as “most vulnerable” to climate change −Impact on food production likely to vary •SAARC’S efforts at establishing regional food bank must be strengthened −Bank too small and procedures too cumbrous −Physical fund may need to be supplemented with a virtual The Member States urged all NWS to collectively endeavor to attain the ultimate goal of complete elimination of nuclear arsenals in the shortest possible time. Secretary-General Q.A.M.A. These have contributed to the receding of the threat of nuclear confrontation and to agreements on disarmament measures. The idea of co-operation among South Asian Countries was discussed in three conferences: the Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi in April 1947; the Baguio Conference in the Philippines in May 1950; and the Colombo Powers Conference held in Sri Lanka in April 1954. ENDNOTES. They welcomed the trend towards popularly based democratic governments in different parts of the world, including in South Asia. Energy Security: The Functional Area of Regional Cooperation for South Asia Dhananjay Tripathi Abstract Despite sharing a common culture and heritage, South Asia is one of the least integrated regions of the world. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion, or coercion; 3. New SAARC treaty aims to strengthen disaster cooperation in South Asia. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) is a peace treaty among Southeast Asian countries established by the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a geo-political and economic organisation of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia The Council may also meet in extraordinary circumstances by agreement of Member States. The SAARC comprises 3% of … With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri serving as chairman, the Ministers reviewed progress made in implementing decisions reached at the January Summit, including counter-terrorism efforts, and continued preliminary preparations for the 13th annual summit in 2005. Package-Deal Since countries accord varying level of priority to problems, broadening the scope of cooperation to go beyond water allows concessions on specific issues in exchange for gains on matters they perceive as higher priority. Published: 27 February 2012 1:50 CET. 1776 Eye Street, NW In this connection, they welcomed the recent meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev in Geneva and expressed the hope that the meeting would have a positive effect on international peace and security. The agenda was dominated by issues of terrorism and the trafficking of humans and drugs. There are numerous persistent problems creating continuous hurdles for regional integration in South Asia. China and Japan were granted observer status at the same. Its role is to coordinate and monitor the implementation of SAARC activities, service the meetings of the association and serve as the channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations. On 22 February, Iran's foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi indicated Iran's interest in joining SAARC, stating that the country's borders with South Asia could provide the region with "East-West connectivity.". regional organisations, or trade blocs (South Asia Free Trade Area), as well as institutions aimed at promoting a so-called multipolar order (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation). They also stressed that terrorism violates the United Nations and SAARC charters and reaffirmed their commitment to the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression on Terrorism in addition to other relevant international conventions to which they are party. In the declaration of the Sixth SAARC Summit in December, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Member States assessed current international developments in the political sphere particularly those that affected the lives of the people of South Asia. I. In June 2007, the national human rights commissions of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines signed a Declaration of Cooperation, which committed them to … The Standing Committee may also set up Action Committees comprising Member States concerned with implementation of projects per Article VII of the Charter. They also approved three major trade-related agreements along with a draft of the Dhaka declaration, to be signed by leaders at the upcoming summit. South Asia, which exhibits a mix of these, needs to find itself an adequate method for future deals. The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987. Six observers—China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea, United States, Iran The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first raised in November 1980. The Standing Committee is assisted by a Programming Committee, an ad hoc body, comprising senior officials, to scrutinize the Secretariat Budget, finalize the Calendar of Activities, and take up any other matter assigned to it by the Standing Committee. Later, transport; postal services; scientific and technological cooperation; and sports, arts, and culture were added to the IPA. Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation in South Asia Trends, Challenges and Prospects 2-3 May, 2013 New Delhi. Ministers also approved the nomination of Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorj of Bhutan as the next SAARC Secretary-General. Recognizing the specific vulnerability of the sovereignty and independence of small states, they resolutely committed to protect the interest and security of these states through the pursuit of appropriate policies and actions. China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea United States of America, and Iran were welcomed as observers. Ministers adopted the 22 SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) and reiterated their earlier decision to put the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) into effect on 1 January 2006. SAARC Secretariat ##Âña gfnT¤gª�”BQº¨ú5„4÷�MÁu–±¥ˆ2z In the Summit declaration, the Heads of State or Government were of the view that stability, peace, and security in South Asia should be promoted together with efforts to improve the global security environment. They signed the Additional Protocol to the SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism approved days earlier by the Council of Ministers. In this regard, they recognized the need to start negotiations through the CD and to establish a phased program for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified framework of time, including a Nuclear Weapons Convention. After consultations, the foreign secretaries of the seven founding countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—me… Six observers—China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea, United States, Iran.

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