South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): Facts for UPSC Prelims
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Established: December 8, 1985 (Dhaka, Bangladesh) – Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal – Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka – Objective: Promote regional integration, economic growth, and social progress |
| Objectives | – Promote Welfare: Enhance well-being of South Asian people – Accelerate Economic Growth: Foster economic and social progress – Strengthen Collective Self-Reliance: Encourage mutual assistance among members – Enhance Regional Integration: Facilitate collaboration across various fields |
| Reports and Indices | – SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) Reports: Assess progress toward regional development – SAARC Regional Poverty Profile: Analyze poverty trends – SAARC Social Charter Reports: Monitor social development efforts – SAARC Economic Outlook: Provide economic forecasts |
| Instruments | – SAARC Charter: Founding document defining principles and objectives – Agreements and Conventions: Frameworks for cooperation in areas like terrorism suppression – Action Plans: Strategies for collaboration in trade, environment, agriculture |
| Structure | – Summit: Biennial meeting of Heads of State or Government – Council of Ministers: Comprising Foreign Ministers, responsible for policy – Standing Committee: Oversees decision implementation – Technical Committees: Focus on specific sectors like health and education – Secretariat: Administrative body in Kathmandu |
| Subsidiary Organs | – SAARC Development Fund (SDF): Financial support for regional projects – SAARC Regional Centers: Specialized centers for fields like agriculture and disaster management – SAARC Arbitration Council: Resolves commercial disputes |
| Committees | – Programming Committee: Prepares budget and activities calendar – Standing Committee: Coordinates among members – Technical Committees: Develop and implement programs in specific areas |
| Initiatives | – South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA): Promotes free trade – SAARC Development Fund (SDF): Finances regional projects – SAARC Food Bank: Ensures food security – SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC): Coordinates disaster response – SAARC Cultural Centre: Preserves cultural heritage – SAARC Energy Centre: Facilitates energy cooperation – SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre: Tackles health issues – SAARC Agriculture Centre: Advances agricultural innovation – SAARC Meteorological Research Centre: Improves weather forecasting – SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre: Focuses on sustainable coastal management – SAARC Forestry Centre: Promotes sustainable forest management – SAARC Information Centre: Enhances information sharing – SAARC Arbitration Council: Legal framework for disputes – SAARC Social Charter: Addresses poverty, health, and education – SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme: Eases travel for designated categories |
