Regional Public Goods
Selected Regional Public Good (RPGs) of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on human resource development, health, and environment
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established when its Charter was formally adopted on December 8, 1985 by the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAARC provides a platform for the people of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. The organization's cooperation spans several areas including agriculture, science and technology, health, environment, trade, finance, funding mechanism, people-to-people contacts, information technology, security and social development.
Human resource development is a fundamental area of cooperation in the region. During the Fourth Summit in 1988, the SAARC Heads of State agreed to establish SAARC Human Resource Development Centre which undertakes research, training and knowledge sharing on HRD issues.
A regional coordinating center on health, the SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center, was also established in 1992 to create a network for the National Tuberculosis Control Programme and National HIV/AIDS Control Programme of member countries.
Notably, the SAARC Heads of State have been active in pursuing regional cooperation to address environmental challenges. In 1997, the SAARC Environment Action Plan was implemented which led to the establishment of the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Center, SAARC Forestry Center, SAARC Disaster Management Center and SAARC Meteorological Research Center.
Agreements
- 17th SAARC Summit: Addu DeclarationSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation - SAARC11 Nov 2011
- 16th SAARC Summit: Thimpu Statement on Climate Change29 Apr 2010
- SAARC Action Plan on Climate ChangeSAARC Disaster Management Center21 Aug 2008
- 15th SAARC Summit: Colombo DeclarationSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation - SAARC2 Aug 2008
- Dhaka Declaration on Climate ChangeSAARC Disaster Management Center3 Jul 2008
News
- ADB financing to promote green development, drinking water security in NepalAsian Development Bank14 Nov 2024
- Maldives president [Mohammed Muizzu] in Delhi [India] to seek aid and reboot tiesBBC News6 Oct 2024
- [Bangladesh Chief Adviser] Yunus meets Pakistan [Prime Minister] in [New York, US], calls for [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] revivalIndia Times26 Sep 2024
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation: Boosting regional integration with enhanced multimodal transport linksAsian Development Bank24 Sep 2024
Opinions and Editorials
- The pandemic has exposed our existing vulnerabilitiesThe Daily Star - Bangladesh22 Apr 2021
- Climate change and economic growth nexus in South AsiaDaily News29 Dec 2020
- Why the India-Sri Lanka-Maldives NSA-level talks matterThe Diplomat4 Dec 2020
- Afghanistan – Sri Lanka: A growing partnership for shared peace and prosperity in South AsiaObserver Research Foundation5 Nov 2020
Studies and Research
- Human Capital Development in South Asia: Achievements, Prospects, and Policy ChallengesAsian Development BankAsian Development Bank12 Dec 2017
- Economics of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in South Asia: Options and CostsR. M. Shrestha, et al.Asian Development Bank1 Mar 2013
- Ecological Cooperation in South Asia: The Way ForwardSaleem AliNew America Foundation1 Jan 2013
- Climate change, migration, and conflict in South AsiaBhattacharyya, Arpita, and Michael WerzCenter for American Progress1 Dec 2012
Meetings
- SASEC Brainstorming Meeting on Sanitary/Phytosanitary Priorities and Challenges in SASEC Member Countries (in cooperation with UNESCAP)South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation14 Oct 2013
- SAARC Workshop on Public Awareness in Achieving Energy Conservation30 Oct 2012
- 4th Japan-SAARC Symposium on Regional Cooperation in Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyMinistry of Foreign Affairs - Japan30 Mar 2011
- SAARC Workshop on Application of Science and Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in South AsiaSAARC Disaster Management Center21 Jan 2008
