SAARC turns 40; here is what the heads of state and government say

Himal Press 08 Dec 2023

SAARC turns 40; here is what the heads of state and government say

KATHMANDU: South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries marked the 39th SAARC Charter Day by issuing special messages, expressing their greetings and commitment to the organization’s objectives.

“The Heads of State/Government of South Asia founded SAARC at the First SAARC Summit in Dhaka, Bangladesh, by adopting its Charter on 08 December 1985, thereby creating the largest regional organization representing one quarter of the global population. Since then, 08 December every year is commemorated as the SAARC Charter Day across the region,” the SAARC Secretariat said issuing a statement on Friday.

However, the regional bloc hasn’t made much progress in furthering regional cooperation. SAARC has not been able to hold its summit since it held its 18th Summit in Kathmandu in 2014. The 2016 SAARC Summit was planned to be held in Islamabad but it didn’t materialize after India said it would boycott the Summit accusing Pakistan’s involvement in Uri attacks.

“SAARC is essentially a people-centric organization, created to ameliorate the living standards of its peoples. Though at its initial stage, SAARC concentrated on important areas for regional collaboration, its ambit continued to grow over the years,” SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar said in his message. “In its fourth decade of existence today, SAARC encompasses almost every sphere of human activity, having a bearing on the lives and livelihoods of its peoples and is committed to continue its efforts for the development of South Asia Region.”

Here is what the SAARC Heads of State/Government say as SAARC turns 39:

Sheikh Hasina – Prime Minister of Bangladesh
For nearly four decades, the SAARC Charter has been the guiding principle in collective endeavors to bring qualitative changes in the lives and livelihoods of the people of South Asia. The SAARC region is undergoing many challenges. I believe our collective efforts could contribute to forging closer cooperation among the Member States to overcome the challenges and make SAARC and effective and result-oriented regional organization.

Chogyal Dago Rigdzin – Chief Advisor of the Royal Government of Bhutan
Bhutan stands ready to work with fellow Member States towards further strengthening the SAARC process and in fulfilling our shared objective of peace and prosperity in the region.

Narendra Modi – Prime Minister of India

The founding objective of the SAARC – to work together for the benefit of the people of South Asia – is possible only in an environment of peace and security. Indian remains committed to ralizing this objective and will continue to adopt a cooperative and positive approach in this regard.

Mohamed Muizzu – President of the Maldives
On SAARC Charter Day, we reflect on the principles and values of regional cooperation, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in South Asia. SAARC has played a crucial role in addressing regional challenges and advancing shared goals. As we celebrate this day, let’s recommit ourselves to the Charter principles and work towards strengthening cooperation in building a more resilient and interconnected South Asia.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal – Prime Minister of Nepal
The ideals set forth in the Charter and immense potential for development and cooperation, matched by solid commitments and effective collective action, remain as promising as they were at the time of formation. The need for closer cooperation is ever greater, given the still existing old challenges like poverty, malnutrition, and new and emerging challenges such as climate change, cyber security and natural disasters exacerbated by adverse climate. In this context, we must reinforce the values of understanding, trust, solidarity and cooperation as enshrined in the SAARC Charter through common efforts and harmonious actions.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar – Prime Minister of Pakistan
Pakistan, as one of the founding member states of SAARC, has consistently shown its commitment to the Organization’s objectives. It has actively participated in the SAARC processes and activities Pakistan is a firm believer in the strength and potential of regional cooperation for national and regional development. It further believes that result-oriented regional cooperation can be achieved only by adhering to the cardinal principles of sovereign equality and mutual respect, as enshrined in the SAARC Charter.

Ranil Wickremesinghe – President of Sri Lanka
As a founding member, Sri Lanka recognizes SAARC’s immense potential, prospects, and opportunities available, which can be seized, through collective efforts. With an unrelenting commitment on the part of us Member States soldiering as one family, I am confident SAARC can metamorphose into a more viable regional organization to serve the prosperity of our region.

Published On: 08 Dec 2023