EU-SAARC Think Tank Summit to be held

Published On: January 19, 2021 01:26 PM NPT

Kathmandu, Jan 19: The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA), a Kathmandu-based foreign policy think-tank, together with South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF), a Brussels-based think tank, are holding a two days EU-SAARC think tank summit from January 20 to 21 to discuss the challenges in inter-regional cooperation between the EU and South Asia and to find the solutions to those challenges.

Policy shapers and makers from political circles, government agencies, representatives of think-tanks and academia, civil society, business community and media from the two regions will come together in a virtual platform to discuss a wide range of subjects related to inter-regional ties between the EU and South Asia.

The EU is South Asia’s largest trading partner as well as a major development and aid partner. The EU is also an observer within the SAARC.

According to AIDIA, the summit will focus on bolstering networks and collaboration between think-tanks from the two regions besides advancing inter-regional economic cooperation, exploring regional strategies of both the EU and South Asia, evaluating contemporary challenges in regional integration, examining the role of EU in promoting development and democracy in South Asia among others.