Saarc summit adopts 20-point declaration
The 17th summit of South Asian Regional Cooperation (Saarc) ended yesterday with a 20-point declaration that encompasses areas like regional connectivity to trade promotion and counter terrorism measures.
Maldives President and current Saarc Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed read out the declaration at the end of the two-day summit.
The points of the declaration are:
1. To direct the Safta Ministerial Council to intensify efforts to fully and effectively implement Safta and the work on reduction in Sensitive Lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonising standards and customs procedures.
2. To direct the Saarc finance ministers to chart a proposal that would allow for greater flow of financial capital and intra-regional long-term investment.
3. To hold the Twelfth Saarc Trade Fair along with Saarc Travel and Tourism Fair in Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives in 2012; and to develop modalities, by involving the relevant private sector, in promoting the region globally as “Destination South Asia”.
4. To conclude the Regional Railways Agreement and to convene the Expert Group Meeting on the Motor Vehicles Agreement before the next Session of the Council of Ministers; and to direct the early conducting of a demonstration run of a container train (Bangladesh-India-Nepal).
5. To direct the secretary general to ensure completion of the preparatory work on the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service, including the Feasibility Study, by the end of 2011, in order to launch the service.
6. To ensure timely implementation of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change.
7. To direct the conclusion of the Inter-governmental Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation and the Study on the Regional Power Exchange Concept as also the work related to Saarc Market for Electricity.
8. To resolve the operational issues related to the Saarc Food Bank by the next Session of the Council of Ministers with a view to ensuring its effective functioning.
9. To root out terrorism, taking into account its linkages with illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat terrorism; and call for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the Saarc Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
10. To initiate work towards combating maritime piracy in the region.
11. To direct the convening of an Inter-governmental Expert Group Meeting to discuss the establishment of a regional mechanism to ensure empowerment of women and gender equality in the region, with focus on national legislations, including timely realisation of the MDGs and SDGs.
12. To direct the finalisation of the work on the elaboration of the Saarc Regional Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution with a view to its adoption by the next summit.
13. To formulate an actionable framework to address the common challenge of sanitation and access to safe drinking water in the region.
14. To expedite the work on mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees and harmonisation of academic standards; and establishment of long-term linkages among universities, research institutions and think-tanks in the region.
15. To direct the South Asia Forum to continue to work towards the development of the "Vision Statement" for South Asia and its future development, including on the goal and elements of a South Asian Economic Union, as may emerge from its subsequent meetings.
16. To strengthen Saarc mechanisms, including the secretariat and regional centres, through an inter-governmental process.
17. To direct Saarc mechanisms and institutions to develop and implement regional and sub-regional projects, as appropriate, in agreed areas.
18. To undertake a comprehensive review of all matters relating to Saarc's engagement with observers, including the question of dialogue partnership, before the next session of the Council of Ministers in 2012.
19. To mark a Saarc Media Day and, in that context, decide to convene a Regional Conference on Media to consider deepening collaboration in the region.
20. To make available an appropriate percentage of national income towards the respective countries' renewable energy investments, subject to the approval of national arrangements.
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