SAARC

Subject: International Organizations

Context : SAARC can only be fully effective in the absence of “terror and violence”, Prime Minister said in a message to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation on its 36th Charter Day anniversary.

Concept :

• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
• Afghanistan became the newest member of SAARC at the 13th annual summit in 2005.
• The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal.

Importance of SAARC:

• SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (US$2.9 trillion) of the global economy.
• It is the world’s most densely populated region and one of the most fertile areas.
• SAARC countries have common tradition, dress, food and culture and political aspects thereby synergizing their actions.
• All the SAARC countries have common problems and issues like poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, natural disasters, internal conflicts, industrial and technological backwardness, low GDP and poor socio-economic condition.