The regional grouping set up with the objective of promoting the living standards of the people and regional cooperation and amity has completed over two and half decades.[break]
It has been working with a focus on poverty reduction, improving the living standards of the people of the region and the socio-cultural development.
The establishment of various mechanisms for building collaboration among the member countries and expanding the bilateral ties for enhancing regional cooperation has raised the people’s expectations as well as the hope, and confidence towards SAARC for the all-round development of the entire South Asia region.
In a message on the occasion of the completion of 26 years by SAARC, Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai said the day of December 8 provides us an opportunity to reflect upon the achievements and challenges of the Association in attaining the objectives enshrined in the Charter, i.e. to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through economic growth and social progress and cultural development in the region.
“In these 26 years of existence, SAARC has been able to set norms and build institutions in various areas that have provided good bases for expanding cooperation in the region. It has provided the most needed forum to the South Asian nations to deliberate and find solutions to the collective problems facing the region,” the Prime Minister stated.
Noting that the SAARC has become a household name synonymous to South Asia that out people cherish and treasure, in the journey of over two and a half decade, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai pointed out that with focused implementation of the decisions taken at successive summits and meetings, SAARC has potentials to become an important vehicle for growth and prosperity through enhanced trade, connectivity and interchange of people and ideas.
We have already begun this course by the establishment of the South Asian Development Fund, South Asian University and commencement of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), he added.
The Prime Minister said our efforts to make SAARC a dynamic and vibrant association are reflected in the priority accorded to the poverty alleviation, intra-regional trade and investment promotion, connectivity and greater people-to-people contact.
Such endeavours should result in concrete outcome that benefits the neediest people of the region, the prime minister said, adding that it was satisfying that SAARC has begin to receive fresh ideas from private sector, civil society, media and academia by providing a forum for deliberations and dialogues for the exchange of views.
“Emerging challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, terrorism and trans-national crimes are gaining prominence in SAARC forums. Our emphasis should now be on the implementation of the ideas that bring change in the lives of our people.”
Reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to the ideals and objectives of SAARC on this veryspecial day of the 26th anniversary of SAARC, Prime Minister Dr. Bhattarai also expressed firm desire on behalf the Government andpeople of Nepal, to continuing partnership with member states of SAARC to foster further collaboration and cooperation for achieving prosperity and development of our people in the region.
FM Shrestha stresses robust SAARC
In a message on the same occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said Nepal was ready to fulfill her part in the collective endeavor of making the SAARC a more robust vehicle of regional cooperation.
Giving a message on the occasion of the 27th Charter Day of the SAARC on Wednesday, Minister Shrestha reiterated the continued collaboration and cooperation with fellow member states to further strengthening of the bond of South Asian fraternity.
It was a time to focus on the implementation of commitments into tangible results, he said, adding that our goal of shared economic prosperity can be spread in the region only through enhanced trade and investment and removal of trade barriers.
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