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SAARC
By: Ahmed Siddiq Minshawy
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5-C 16-5886
CONTENT
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[Link]
[Link]
[Link] of SAARC
[Link] for Formation
[Link] & Objectives
[Link] Centers
[Link] Structure
[Link], Observers & Potential Future Members
[Link] of SAARC
[Link] of SAARC
[Link] 2 2
INTRODUCTION
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The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is
the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union
of states in South Asia established on 8th December 1985 for the
friendship and cooperation among themselves and with other
developing countries. The SAARC comprises 3% of the world's
area, 21% of the world's population and 4.21% (US$3.67 trillion) of
the global economy, as of 2019, which makes SAARC the largest
regional organization in the world.
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HISTORY
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• The idea of co-operation among South Asian Countries was discussed in at least 3
conferences:
1. the Asian Relations Conference held in New Delhi in April 1947
2. the Baguio Conference in the Philippines in May 1950
3. the Colombo Powers Conference held in Sri Lanka in April 1954.
• The first concrete proposal for establishing a framework for regional cooperation in
South Asia was made by the late President of Bangladesh, Ziaur-Rehman on May 2,
1980
• Finally , the foreign ministers of all the countries had a meeting in New Delhi in 1983
where they adopted a declaration on South Asian Regional Cooperation.
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FUNCTIONS OF SAARC
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The functions of the SAARC Disaster Management Centre are:
• To analyze information, undertake research and disseminate research
findings on disaster management among the Member Countries;
• To develop educational materials and conduct academic and professional
courses on Disaster management;
• To organize training and awareness programmes for various stakeholders
on disaster management for the Member Countries;
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FUNCTIONS OF SAARC
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The functions of the SAARC Disaster Management Centre are:
• To develop training modules on various aspects on disaster management and
conduct programs of Training for Trainers including simulation exercises;
• To undertake, organize, facilitate and participate in workshops, conferences,
seminars, lectures, etc. On various aspects of disaster management in the Member
Countries;
• To undertake publication of journals, research papers and books and establish and
maintain online resource center in furtherance of the aforesaid objects;
• To collaborate with other SAARC Centers, particularly SMRC, SCZMC and
SAARC Forestry Centre to achieve synergies in programs and activities
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REASON FOR FORMATION
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• Central location of Asia
• Common features of the Indian Subcontinent
• All countries gained Independence after the second world war
• All countries form part of the third world
• This region is poor and overpopulated
• Predominance of Agriculture
• Dependency of economy on southwest monsoon
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AIMS & OBJECTIVES
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• Welfare of the people of south Asia
• Economic growth, social progress and cultural development
• Strengthen selective self-reliance among the countries of south Asia
• Understanding and appreciation of one another's problems
• Strengthen cooperation among themselves as well as with other developing countries
and international and regional organizations
• Maintain peace in the region
• Improve quality of life and welfare of people
• Economic, Social, and Cultural development
• Contribute mutual trust and understanding
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REGIONAL CENTERS
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The SAARC Secretariat is supported by following Regional Centers established in
Member States to promote regional co-operation
1. SAARC Agriculture Center (SAC), Dhaka, Bangladesh
2. SAARC Meteorological Research Center(SMRC),Dhaka, Bangladesh
3. SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center(STAC)Kathmandu, Nepal
4. SAARC Documentation Center(SDC)New Delhi, India
5. SAARC Documentation Center(SDC)New Delhi, India
6. SAARAC Coastal Zone Management Center(SCZMC),Maldives
7. SAARC Information Center(SIC),Nepal
8. SAARC Energy Center(SEC),Pakistan
9. SAARAC Disaster Management Center(SDMC),India
10. SAARC Forestry Center(SFC) Bhutan
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11. SAARC Cultural Center(SCC)Sri Lanka
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
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•Council
•Council of Ministers
•Standing Committee
•Programming Committee
•Technical Committee
•Secretariat
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MEMEBERS
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• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• The Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka 1111
OBSERVERS
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• Australia
• China
• The European Union
• Iran
• Japan
• Mauritius
• Myanmar
• South Korea
• The United States 1212
POTENTIAL FUTURE MEMBERS
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• Myanmar has expressed interest in upgrading its status from an observer to a full
member of the SAARC
• China has requested joining SAARC
• Russia has applied for observer status membership of SAARC
• Turkey applied for observer status membership of SAARC in 2012
• South Africa has participated in meetings
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Member States Observer States
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SUCCESSES OF SAARC
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• SAPTA(SAARC preferential Trading Arrangement) was signed on 7th
december,1995.
• SAFTA( South Asian Free Trade Area) was signed in Islamabad in January ,
2004.
• SAARC chamber of commerce and industries (SCCI).
• SAARC constitutes South Asian Development Funds(SADF).
• Literacy and education.
• Poverty Alleviation
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FAILURES OF SAARC
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• India tries to dominate the functions and control the
activities of SAARC.
• Large variety of different political system.
• Large variety regional and cultural differences.
• They lack financial resources and advanced
technologies.
• Involvement of external actors
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CONCLUSION
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• The SAARC balance sheet of success is very limited to
adoption of several conventions.
• There have also been breakthroughs in the form of
agreements forming SAPTA and SAFTA, but their success at
operational is still expected.
• Special Economic Zones and Export Promotion Zones should
be created in all member countries to make trading easier and
smooth the relations between the South Asian nations
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Thank You!
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