SAARC Secretariat

It is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The Secretariat coordinates and monitors

implementation of activities prepares, and services meetings The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General, who is appointed by the Council of Ministers for a three-year term. Dr. Sheel Kanta Sharma from India currently serves as the Secretary General of SAARC.

SAARC Social Charter

The signing of the Social Charter by the Heads of

State/ Government at the 12th SAARC Summit held in Islamabad in 2004, has been a major development in SAARC. The Social Charter aims at promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and accelerating economic growth. Improving health conditions of peoples, human resource development, empowerment of women, and providing welfare to the children.

SAARC Regional Convention of Suppression of Terrorism

The SAARC Regional Convention of Suppression of

Terrorism was signed during the Third SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November 1987. Recognizes dangers posed by the spread of terrorism and its harmful effects on peace & cooperation. This Convention came into force on 22 August 1988

Prime Objective
At the 12th SAARC Summit held in Islamabad in 2004,

the Heads of States/Government recognized poverty alleviation as the greatest challenge facing the peoples of South Asia and declared poverty alleviation as the overarching goal of all SAARC activities.

Regional co-operation.
Compares the agenda of the organization when it was

formed with its current. Common approach to issues like poverty, telecommunication, weather, sports, culture, etc., as was envisaged in the beginning. There exists popular support for regional cooperation.

DRAWBACKS
Each member country is looking at its own benefits.
There is a rise in activities like terrorism in South Asia. The countries conveniently blame other member

countries for their problems. Each country only talks about how great and cooperative a member it has been in SAARC.