Saarc now deliberates more on action

Says Dipu Moni

26 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Diplomatic Correspondent

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni yesterday said the Saarc now deliberates more on action and concrete deliverables in the form of projects than on declaration and rhetoric. “Now it will be more easier by the Saarc to take decisions and implement those rapidly as all the member states now have democratic governments,” she said. Addressing a seminar on “16th Saarc summit: An evaluation and way forward” organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at Jatiya Press Club in the city, she said, “We now see a propensity towards developing demand-driven and time-bound programmes and projects.” She said the trend of project-based cooperation has added new dimension and dynamism. It has witnessed in the just concluded summit in Thimphu that wide range of collaboration and the deep sense of determination to make Saarc a meaningful vehicle to attain collective self-reliance and to relate to the aspirations of common people. In the recent years, some important steps and positive developments that reflect the determination to undertake regional projects. Citing example of Saarc's march forward, Dipu Moni mentioned articulation of regional common approach and understanding towards the balanced progress in livelihood, education, health and environment. The region agreed to have its own set of goals in the form of the Saarc Development Goals. She said operationalisation of the Saarc Development Fund (SDF) has a very encouraging development as this umbrella funding mechanism has already started financing projects with primary focus on poverty alleviation and social development. Turning to the social charter, she said Saarc conventions for protection of rights of the children and combating trafficking in women and children and creation of a regional task force under these two conventions reflect the determination to secure progress in the social area. Projects like toll-free numbers to help trafficked women and children and Saarc Telemedicine Network are very commendable projects. Operationalisation of the Saarc Food Bank and efforts towards developing numerous food security related projects are indeed encouraging. A model material transfer agreement has been developed, she added. Establishment of the South Asian University is a timely initiative, she said, adding that the the university would help create a greater sense of South Asianness amongst the students and scholars alike. This perception of common identity may help create the foundation for an alliance for peace, friendship and mutual respect in South Asia. Transports have been identified to ensure seamless connectivity. Member States are seeking to undertake connectivity projects both bilaterally and regionally. Establishment of a Saarc Energy Ring is a bold pronouncement. Projects such as region-wide power exchange and grid connectivity, a regional LNG terminal, a regional refinery are being examined to reduce costs by taking advantage of economy of scale, Dipu Moni said. However, she said despite all those positive development there are challenges and difficulties that Saarc facing in implementing the programmes. She identified first and foremost is the trust gap that affects conceiving of programmes and retards their realisation. Implementation also suffers because of lack of understanding of regional projects in particular their regional level implementation. This lack of understanding is shallow in the sectoral departments, she added. Media in South Asia also need to develop a fuller understanding of the Saarc process and its programmes, she said, adding that it is true that Saarc has not been able to mount an effective campaign to communicate better with its stakeholders in particular the media. The seminar was organised in cooperation with Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL). DG (SAARC, BIMSTEC & ACD) Sufiur Rahman and DG (External Publicity) of Foreign Ministry Saida Muna Tasneem, Joint Chief of Bangladesh Tariff Commission Dr Mostafa Abid Khan, chairman of Unnayan Onneshan Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Oxfam and CSRL official Ziaul Hoque Mukta, DCAB President Zahirul Alam, Vice President Raheed Ejaz and General Secretary Imran Alam also spoke at the seminar.