Introduction:
SAARC means South Asian Association for Regional Co-Operation. Seven countries
are the members of this association. The member nations are Nepal, India, Bangladesh,
pakistan, SriLanka, Maldives and Bhutan. It was established in 1985 AD. Its
secretariat is situated in Kathmandu. The SAARC logo shows two hands joining
together. There are seven doves in between the two hands. The two hands symbolize
friendship and goodwill. Seven doves represent the seven member nations seeking
peace.
Need and Importance of SAARC:
South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) is an association
of the developing countries of South Asia. On the occasion of the 26th inauguration
of the Advisory Committee of Colombo Plan in 1977, His Majesty King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shah Dev called upon the representatives to co-operate for the development
of water resource. The initiation for the organization was made by the President
of Bangladesh in 1980. Then the foreign ministers of the 7 countries met in
New Delhi in 1983 and adopted declaration of South Asian Regional Co-operation.
Eventually, SAARC organization was formally established at Dhaka summit meeting
held in 1985. According to the World bank Report 1980, about 75 percent people
of this region are poor. So the main problem of this organization is the elimination
of poverty. Another aim of this organization is to do away with economic and
social imbalance of the member states. In order to promote mutual co-operation
and good faith among the citizens of SAARC countries, the first SAARC festival
was held in India from October 9 to 24, 1992. It was attended by actors, literati,
musicians, singers, archaeologist, dancers and journalists.
SAARC has following 3 principles:
a) Co-operation within the framework of the Association shall be based on respect
for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence,
non-interference in internal affairs of other states and mutual benefits.
b) Such co-operation will not be a substitue for bilateral and multilateral
but will complement them.
c) Such co-operation will not be a substitue for bilateral and multilateral
obligations.
Following are the objectives of SAARC:
a) To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to promote their
quality of life.
b) 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 potentials.
c) To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of
South Asia.
d) To Contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's
problems
e) To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social,
cultural, technical and scientific fields.
f) To strengthen co-operation with otehr developing countries.
g) To strengthen Co-operation among themselves in international forums on matters
of common interests; and
h) To co-operate with international and regional organizations with similar
aims and purposes.
Activities:
SAARC has been conducting various activities. Ten conferences have been held
so far.