KATHMANDU, Dec 9: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) marked its 40th Charter Day on Sunday, commemorating the adoption of its founding Charter on December 8, 1985, by the heads of state/government of South Asian nations during the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka.
According to a press release issued by SAARC, leaders from all eight SAARC member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan—issued special messages underscoring the importance of regional cooperation, mutual understanding, and solidarity. The messages highlighted SAARC's role as a platform for advancing peace, prosperity, and integration across South Asia, a region rich in human resources and natural assets but also facing common challenges such as poverty, underdevelopment, and environmental degradation.
As SAARC Turns Forty…
The heads of state/government reaffirmed their collective commitment to achieving the vision outlined in the SAARC Charter and called for renewed efforts to address the region’s shared challenges through regional cooperation. SAARC leaders expressed optimism about South Asia’s future, emphasizing the need for collective action to drive growth and prosperity, the press release stated.
The Secretary General of SAARC also issued a message, celebrating the organization’s progress in strengthening its institutional framework and promoting regional cooperation. He called for continued efforts to reinvigorate SAARC and further its objectives.
