|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
Chapter 1 - Introduction
History and Evolution of SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) comprises the seven countries of South Asia, i. ...
The Heads of State or Government at their First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka on 7-8 December 1985 adopted the Charter formally establishing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The objectives, principles and general provisions contained in the SAARC Charter are as follows:
Objectives
To promote the welfare of the peoples 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 realise their full potential;
To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;
To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems;
To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;
To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;
To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests; and
To cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes. ...
General Provisions
Decisions at all levels in SAARC shall be taken on the basis of unanimity;
Bilateral and contentious issues shall be excluded from the deliberations of the Association. ... To date, eleven meetings of the Heads of State or Government have been held respectively in Dhaka (1985), Bangalore (1986), Kathmandu (1987), Islamabad (1988), Malé (1990), Colombo (1991), Dhaka (1993) New Delhi (1995), Malé (1997), Colombo (1998) and Kathmandu (2002)
The Twelfth SAARC Summit is scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
The Heads of State or Government during the Ninth SAARC Summit agreed that a process of informal political consultations would prove useful in promoting peace, stability and amity and accelerated socio-economic cooperation in the region. This was further reiterated at the Tenth SAARC Summit. ...
A Commemorative Session of the Council, to mark the First Decade of SAARC, was also held at New Delhi on 18 December 1995, during the Sixteenth Session of the Council of Ministers. ... The Programming Committee has also been entrusted to consider and submit to the Standing Committee, recommendations for action on the Reports of the Technical Committees, SAARC Regional Centres and the SAARC Audio Visual Exchange (SAVE) Committee. ...
The Technical Committees
At the time SAARC was formally established in 1985, the core of its work programme was the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA), consisting of a number of Technical Committees on agreed areas of cooperation. However, as the agreed Agenda of SAARC expanded, new areas were identified for regional cooperation. ...
Given the emphasis by successive Summits on the need to consolidate and streamline the IPA and make it more result oriented, a set of guidelines and procedures was adopted in 1992 for the rationalisation of SAARC activities. ... These were considered at its Twenty-sixth Session held in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka in March 1999 by the Standing Committee which proposed a newly restructured SAARC Integrated Programme of Action. ...
Under the new SAARC Integrated Programme of Action (SIPA), the number of Technical Committees has been reduced from eleven to seven mainly through the amalgamation of the different sectors covered by the various Technical Committees and eliminating overlapping, duplication and waste. ...
Specialised Ministerial Meetings
Since the establishment of the Association, a number of SAARC ministerial meetings have been held, to focus attention on specific areas of common concern, and have become an integral part of the consultative structure. ... The work of the SAARC Regional Centres is currently under review. ...
SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC)
SAIC, the first regional institution was established in Dhaka in 1988. ... SAIC has brought out several publications which contain information on agricultural institutions in SAARC countries and current services on fisheries, forestry, livestock, and crops such as rice. ...
The publications completed by SAIC include: a Directory of Agricultural Institutions in SAARC Countries; a Directory of Agricultural Scientists and Technologists of SAARC Countries; a Directory of Agricultural Periodicals of the SAARC Countries; a Bibliography of Women in Agriculture in the SAARC Countries; and a Bibliography of Agro-forestry in the SAARC Region. It maintains databases respectively on Fish Diseases in the SAARC Region, and on Potato Cultivation.
During the 15th meeting of the Governing Board of SAIC held in Dhaka on 24-26 September 2001, it was recommended that SAIC undertake publication of a SAARC Journal of Agriculture as well as a Regional Directory of Plant Genetic Resources, a Handbook on Diseases of Livestock, a Statistical Bulletin of SAARC Agricultural Data and a SAARC Directory of Seed Companies/Enterpreneurs.
SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC)
The STC was set up in 1992 in Kathmandu. ... It expects to initiate, undertake and coordinate research and training in technical biomedical, operational and other aspects related to tuberculosis control programme in the region; to ensure adequate supply at low cost of anti-tuberculosis drugs and other related supplies in all the Member States; to monitor incidence, prevalence and emergence of drug resistant strains of tuberculosis in the region; to promote action on issues relating to HIV related tuberculosis in the SAARC region and to carry out any other functions related to tuberculosis at the request of the Technical Committee on Social Development.
A Project Proposal for the enhancement of the STC’s capacity to deal with AIDS/HIV related tuberculosis under the SAARC-CIDA Memorandum of Understanding has been prepared at the SAARC-CIDA Workshop for the Formulation of a Regional Strategy of TB and HIV/AIDS Control and is being worked on.
The STC has developed a format for collection of information related to tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS from SAARC Member States. ...
SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC)
The SMRC in Dhaka was inaugurated on 2 January 1995. ...
SAARC Human Resources Development Centre (SHRDC)
The SAARC Human Resources Development Centre (SHRDC) has been established in Islamabad with an objective to undertake research, training and dissemination of information on human resources development issues. ... The second meeting of the Governing Board which was held on 26-27 September 2001 finalised the terms of reference, budget/programme of activities, administrative/financial rules and other functional aspects of the Centre
Chapter 4 - Economic Agenda
While the acceleration of economic growth is a Charter objective of SAARC, cooperation in core economic areas among SAARC Member Countries was initiated following the Study on Trade, Manufactures and Services (TMS), completed in June 1991.
Committee on Economic Cooperation
In July 1991, the Council of Ministers at their Ninth Session in Malé endorsed the Study and established the Committee on Economic Cooperation (CEC) comprising Commerce/Trade Secretaries of the SAARC Member States. The CEC was mandated to formulate and oversee implementation of specific measures, policies and programmes within the SAARC framework to strengthen and enhance intra-regional cooperation in the field of trade and economic relations. With the creation of the CEC, regional economic cooperation was formally institutionalised as an integral component of the SAARC process. ...
Over the years, the CEC has emerged as the central group within SAARC addressing economic and trade-related issues. ... The mandate of the CEC, accordingly, covers a wide area ranging from standards and measurement to customs cooperation and the harmonisation of documents and procedures, preferential trading arrangements, rules of origin, and the transition from the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) to the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
Meetings of Commerce Ministers
Recognising the important role economic cooperation plays in South Asia and the need to give policy directions at a Ministerial level, the first meeting of SAARC Commerce Ministers was held in New Delhi in January 1996. ...
SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA)
The Tenth Summit in Colombo approved the formulation on an institutional framework for trade liberalisation in SAARC through SAPTA. ...
South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)
Recognising the asymmetries in development within the region and bearing in mind the need to fix realistic and achievable targets, the Tenth SAARC Summit in Colombo decided on the setting up of a Committee of Experts which would draft a comprehensive treaty regime for creating a free trade area within the region. ...
A meeting of economic sectoral focal points (senior officials) held at the SAARC Secretariat in October 2001 reviewed the progress in the evolution of the regulatory framework and made appropriate recommendation for the consideration of higher SAARC bodies.
Trade Facilitation Measures
Action has also been simultaneously initiated on a series of practical measures aimed at trade facilitation, such as consideration of a Regional Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments in the SAARC Region, the setting up of a SAARC Arbitration Council, and consideration of a Regional Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation. ... A Standing Group on Standards, Quality Control and Measurement was also established by the second meeting of SAARC Commerce Ministers in May 1998. ...
A series of consultations were held prior to the Second (Geneva, 1998), Third (Seattle, 1999) and Fourth (Doha, 2001) WTO Ministerial Conference and resulted in the enunciation of a SAARC position through a Joint Statement issued by the SAARC Commerce Ministers. The Joint Statement by SAARC Commerce Ministers issued for projection at the Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference was also forwarded to the G-15, G-77 and other like-minded countries with a view to seeking support at the Doha Meeting.
Regular consultations are conducted among SAARC Permanent Representatives to the WTO, WIPO and other bodies.
Enhancement of Institutional Capacity
The Colombo Summit recognised the need to strengthen the individual financial systems of the SAARC countries through the enhancement of their institutional capacity, surveillance mechanisms, as well as through closer consultations on, and coordination of, macroeconomic policies where appropriate. In order to enhance SAARC’s collective capacity in respect of policy analysis with specific emphasis on international financial and monetary as well as trade and investment issues, meetings of finance officials of SAARC countries have been held, including regular consultations between Governors of Central Banks.
In addition, as mandated by the Colombo Summit, a Network of Researchers on Global, Financial and Economic Issues has been set up to identify, analyse and help SAARC face up to global, financial and economic developments affecting the region. ...
The Private Sector
The private sector has played an important role in moving the SAARC economic agenda forward. The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), set up in 1992 has played a significant role in this regard bringing together the national chambers of commerce and industry of the Member States. Its activities range from promotion of trade and interaction of the business community within the SAARC region to providing inputs for SAPTA and SAFTA. ...
Another feature of projecting the potential of the region as well as promoting intra-SAARC trade has been the SAARC Trade Fairs. The first SAARC Trade Fair was held in New Delhi in 1996, the second in Colombo in 1998, and the third in Pakistan in 2001.
Promotion of Organised Tourism and the SAARC Tourism Council
The SAARC Scheme of Promotion of Organized Tourism was initiated with the overall objective of strengthening people-to-people contact in the region. ...
In view of the important and effective role of the private sector in the area of tourism, the tourism related activities previously undertaken by the Technical Committee on Tourism are now being looked after by the SCCI Tourism Council, a body under the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ...
Chapter 5 - Social Agenda
The Charter includes among the objectives of SAARC the acceleration of social progress and active collaboration and mutual assistance among Member States in the social field. ... Activities have included pursuing a Regional Plan of Action for Women; publishing the SAARC Solidarity Journals on specific themes on women; highlighting the plight of the Girl Child in South Asia; and holding gender-related workshops, seminars and training programmes. ...
Children
The development and well-being of children is a principal area of cooperation identified by SAARC from its very inception. ...
Since a decision of the Second SAARC Summit (Bangalore, 1986) that the survival, protection and development of children be given the highest priority, annual reviews on the situation of children in SAARC countries have been undertaken since 1993. ... SAARC Leaders resolved to implement appropriate policies at the national level to achieve the targets and objectives set out in the Rawalpindi Declaration adopted at the end of the Third Ministerial Conference on Children (August, 1996). ... SAARC has condemned the exploitation of children by terrorist groups in hostilities and called for special measures for the psychological, physical and social rehabilitation of child victims.
In the areas of child development and health issues, SAARC has been closely cooperating with international agencies such as UNICEF with which it has signed an MOU in December 1993. The MOU envisages cooperation in implementing the relevant SAARC decisions relating to children through an annual agenda which includes joint studies, exchange of documentation and monitoring of implementation. ...
The SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC), established in Kathmandu in 1992, is playing an important role in the prevention and control of tuberculosis in the SAARC region by coordinating the efforts of the National TB Control Programmes of the Member Countries. A SAARC project with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) aims to enhance the capacity of the STC to perform its regional role in coordinating the joint efforts of the SAARC Countries in meeting a major concern of the region – the combined toll of TB and AIDS.
SAARC has signed an MOU with WHO in August 2000 for mutual cooperation in agreed areas to help Member Countries strive towards the goal of Health for All. Under the MOU, collaboration with the SAARC Tuberculosis Centre and other institutions in South Asia, particularly those active in the control of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS is being facilitated.
The Social Charter
The Tenth Summit (Colombo, 1998) while reviewing the progress made in the social sector by SAARC determined that, in order to enhance social development, it would be necessary to develop, beyond national plans of action, a regional dimension of action including a specific role for SAARC. In this context, it directed that a Social Charter be developed for SAARC which would focus on drawing up targets with a broad range to be achieved across the region in the areas of poverty eradication, population stabilisation, the empowerment of women, youth mobilisation, human resources development, the promotion of health and nutrition and the protection of children. ...
Chapter 7 - Legal Issues, Conventions and Agreements
Agreement on the SAARC Food Security Reserve
During the Third SAARC Summit (Kathmandu, 1987), an Agreement on Establishing the SAARC Food Security Reserve was signed. ...
The SAARC Food Security Reserve Board (SFSRB) comprises a representative from each Member Country and meets once a year. ...
Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism
The SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism was signed in Kathmandu in November 1987 during the Third SAARC Summit and came into force on 22 August 1988 following ratification by all Member States. ...
The SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk (STOMD) has been established in Colombo to collate, analyse and disseminate information about the terrorist incidents, tactics, strategies and methods.
The SAARC Legal Experts who met in Kandy, Sri Lanka in June 1999 reviewed the progress in the implementation of the Regional Convention, formulated the guidelines for the future meetings of Liaison Officers for Exchange of Information, and examined the need to update the Regional Convention in the light of developments in the field of international legal efforts. They expressed the view that the Convention provides for an interim regime to attract new offences under international legal instruments and that basic legislature and executive arrangements are in place in SAARC countries to give effect to the Regional Convention.
Regional Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
The SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances which was signed in Malé during the Fifth SAARC Summit in November 1990 came into force on 15 September 1993, following ratification by all Member States. ...
The SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD) has been established in Colombo to collate, analyse and disseminate information on drug related offences in Member Countries. ... The Coordination Group convened its first session at the SAARC Secretariat on 2-3 May 2001. ...
Convention on Prevention of Trafficking of Women and Children for Prostitution
The SAARC Convention on Prevention of Trafficking of Women and Children for Prostitution was signed on 5 January 2002, at the Eleventh Summit in Kathmandu. The scope of the Convention is to promote cooperation amongst Member States to effectively deal with various aspects of prevention, interdiction and suppression of trafficking in women and children; repatriation and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking and preventing the use of women and children in international prostitution networks, particularly where the SAARC Member Countries are the countries of origin, transit and destination. ...
Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare
The SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia was signed on 5 January 2002 at the inauguration of the Eleventh Summit in Kathmandu.
The purposes and objectives of the Convention are to unite the SAARC Member Countries in their determination of redeeming the promises made by them to the South Asian Child at the World Summit for Children and various other national, regional and international conferences and successive SAARC Summits; to facilitate and help in the development and protection of the full potential of the South Asian child, promote understanding and awareness of the rights, duties and responsibilities of the children and others; and to set up appropriate regional arrangements to assist the Member States in fulfilling the rights of the Child, taking into account the changing needs of the child.
Chapter 8 - SAARC Funds
The South Asian Development Fund (SADF)
The idea of establishing a South Asian Development Fund (SADF) was mooted at the Sixth SAARC Summit in Colombo in December 1991 to mobilise the global surpluses of the time for the development of South Asia. ...
The SADF was formally established in 1996 with the merger of the two existing Funds: the SAARC Fund for Regional Projects (SFRP); and the SAARC Regional Fund (SRF). ...
The SAARCJapan Special Fund
The SAARC-Japan Special Fund was established pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the two sides in Kathmandu on 27 September 1993.
Approximate Word count = 15152
Approximate Pages = 60.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|