In the given article, there is a report which is made by a student of class 7. She went to a community library to browse the internet and find out the various information about SAARC. After the untiring effort, she prepared a short report on this topic. 

Introduction to SAARC

SAARC stands for South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation. It was established on 8th December 1985 AD. The founding member countries were Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In the year 2007 AD, Afghanistan received the membership of SAARC. It was established to promote socio-economic development, peace, welfare of the people of south Asia. Its main goal is to accelerate the economic and social development in the member states through joint action in agreed areas of co-operation. 

Objectives 

To prepare an effective report, the following objectives were made. 

a) To explore the history of SAARC 

b) To find out the contributions of Nepal in the socio-economic field. 

Method of data collection 

To make the report authentic and reliable, I visited the public library of my community and studied various books, newspapers and magazines. Similarly, I browsed the internet to find out additional information. 

Findings 

History of SAARC 

After the establishment of the UNO, South Asian Nations felt the need of a regional organization, but the idea got materialized only in late 1970. President Zia-Ur-Rahman visited India in December 1977 and discussed the issue of regional co-operation with the then India Prime Minister. King Birendra also brought an idea for close regional co-operation among the South Asian countries in sharing river water. In May 1980, President Rahman presented the concept paper for organizing the summit along the South Asian Nations. Accordingly, the officials of the foreign ministers of seven countries met for the first time in Colombo (Capital city of Sri Lanka) in April 1981. In 1983, the foreign ministers of the countries adopted the Declaration on South Asian Association Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and formally launched the Integrated Program of Action (IPA) initially in five agreed areas of co-operation namely, Agriculture; Rural development; Telecommunications; Meteorology; and Health and Population Activities. On February 1984, the meeting of foreign ministers was held in Male (capital of Maldives) which decided to organize the SAARC summit. the second meeting of foreign ministers held in Thimpu (Bhutan) and decided to organize the SAARC summit on 7-8 December in Dhaka. After the series of discussion and meetings, the First Summit held in Dhaka on 7-8 December 1985 AD and on 8 December the seven countries singed the charter establishing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. 

 

Role of Nepal in SAARC 

1. It has played an important role to give birth to SAARC. 
2. The logo of SAARC was designed by Nepali artist Shailendra Maharjan. 
3. Nepal hosted the third, eleventh and eighteenth SAARC summits in Kathmandu. 
4. Mr. Yadav Kanta Silwal and Dr. Arjun Bahadur Thapa of Nepal have served in the capacity of General Secretary of SAARC. 
5. The headquarters of SAARC, the SAARC Secretariat, established in 1987 AD, is located at Tridevi Marga, Kathmandu.
6. SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS center was established in 1992 AD at Thimi, Bhaktapur. Nepal has shared the information related to Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in the member countries. 
7. Ghale Gaun, located in the northwestern part of Lamjung district, is declared as a SAARC model village. 
8. The SAARC information centre is also located at Dhulikhel in Kavrepalanchowk district. 
9. South Asian Cultural Federation was established in 1990 AD and its headquarters is located in Kathmandu. In this area, Nepal is exchanging culture among the member nations and preserving the cultural heritage. 
10. It also has hosted First and Eight south Asian games and it is actively taking part in SAGs. 
11. Nepal has promised to contribute 8000 Million ton food grains to SAARC Food Security Reserve during the emergencies in member nations. 
12. Nepal is contributing 10,72% budget of the total expenditures of SAARC. 
13. Nepal is actively taking part in various SAARC activities and implementing the agreement strictly.  

Conclusion

 

A series of the meetings were held to establish SAARC. Credit goes to Zia-Ur-Raman of Bangladesh who brought a formal proposal to set up a regional organization. Finally, on 8 December 1985 seven countries agreed and signed the charter of SAARC. Most of the South Asian Nations are in the path of development. They have common socio-economic characteristics and problems. The administrative centers co-ordinate and supervise the SAARC activities in the member nations. Likewise, it hs played an important role to extend mutual co-operation among the peoples of SAARC and accelerate economic development in the region. Though Nepal is a small nation, it has played a vital role in SAARC for regional peace and prosperity.