Established: 1985. Membership: Eight statesAfghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Six observersChina, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea, United States, Iran The idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was first raised in November 1980. After consultations, the foreign secretaries of the seven founding countriesBangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lankamet for the first time in Colombo in April 1981. This was followed a few months later by a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, which identified five broad areas for regional cooperation. The foreign ministers, at their first meeting in New Delhi in August 1983, adopted the Declaration on South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and formally launched the Integrated Program of Action (IPA) in the five agreed areas of cooperation: agriculture; rural development; telecommunications; meteorology; and health and population activities. Later, transport; postal services; scientific and technological cooperation; and sports, arts, and culture were added to the IPA. Afghanistan became the newest member of SAARC at the 13th annual summit in 2005. China and Japan were granted observer status at the same. Purposes: The SAARC seeks to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, strengthen collective self-reliance, promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in various fields, and cooperate with international and regional organizations. Principal Organs: Meetings of Heads of State or Government: Meetings are held at the Summit level, usually on an annual basis. To date, 14 Summits have convened: Dhaka (1985), Bangalore (1986), Kathmandu (1987), Islamabad (1988), Mal (1990), Colombo (1991), Dhaka (1993), New Delhi (1995), Mal (1997), Colombo (1998), Kathmandu (2002), Islamabad (2004), Dhaka (2005), and New Delhi (2007) The Heads of State or Government during the Ninth SAARC Summit agreed that a process of informal political consultations would prove useful in promoting peace, stability, amity, and accelerated socio-economic cooperation in the region. Council of Ministers: The Council, comprising the Foreign Ministers of Member States, generally meets twice a year. The Council may also meet in extraordinary circumstances by agreement of Member States. Standing Committee of Foreign Secretaries: The Committee provides overall monitoring and coordination, determines priorities, mobilizes resources, and approves projects and financing. It may meet as often as deemed necessary but in practice normally meets twice a year and submits its reports to the Council of Ministers. The Standing Committee may also set up Action Committees comprising Member States concerned with implementation of projects per Article VII of the Charter. The Standing Committee is assisted by a Programming Committee, an ad hoc body, comprising senior officials, to scrutinize the Secretariat Budget, finalize the Calendar of

Activities, and take up any other matter assigned to it by the Standing Committee. The Programming Committee also has been entrusted to consider the reports of the Technical Committees and the SAARC Regional Centers and submit its comments to the Standing Committee. Secretariat: The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987. Its role is to coordinate and monitor the implementation of SAARC activities, service the meetings of the association and serve as the channel of communication between SAARC and other international organizations. The Secretariat comprises the secretary-general, seven directors, and the general services staff. The secretary-general is appointed by the Council of Ministers on the principle of rotation, for a non-renewable tenure of three years. Developments: 2007: The Fourteenth Summit, held on 3 4 April, welcomed the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as a full fledged member of SAARC. China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea United States of America, and Iran were welcomed as observers. At the summit, the members also discussed implementation strategies of the SAARC development fund, a SAARC food bank and the South Asia University. The Heads of State or Government again underscored the importance of controlling terrorism in the region, calling on deepened cooperation and improvements on implementing the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and the Additional Protocol to the SAARC Regional Convention. Member states continued to stress the importance of achieving a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The 15th Summit will be held in the Maldives in 2008. 2006: In April, both the United States and the Democratic Republic of Korea made formal requests to SAARC to be granted observer status. The European Union also expressed interest in receiving observer status and is expected to make a formal request to the SAARC Council of Ministers at its forthcoming meeting in July. The first SAARC Conference of Home Ministers convened in Dhaka on 11 May. The agenda was dominated by issues of terrorism and the trafficking of humans and drugs. Ministers adopted a nine point resolution to fight terrorism and drug trafficking in the region by expediting the existing SAARC mechanism and sharing information and experiences among member states. They committed to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Ministers discussed steps taken by member countries to implement two SAARC conventions related to terrorism and drug abuse, as well as methods to execute the Additional Protocol on the Financing of Terrorism. A proposal to establish a regional law enforcement agencySAARCPOLwas referred to ministers for further study. The proposal will be discussed at the 2nd Home Ministers' meeting scheduled to convene in India in 2007, after a meeting of SAARC police chiefs in Pakistan in December 2006.

2005: On 22 February, Iran's foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi indicated Iran's interest in joining SAARC, stating that the country's borders with South Asia could provide the region with "EastWest connectivity." SAARC foreign ministers attended the 26th meeting of the Council of Ministers in Dhaka from 10-11 November. Ministers adopted the 22 SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) and reiterated their earlier decision to put the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) into effect on 1 January 2006. They discussed the question of according Afghanistan SAARC membership and considered at length China's request to establish ties with SAARC. They also approved three major trade-related agreements along with a draft of the Dhaka declaration, to be signed by leaders at the upcoming summit. The 13th Annual SAARC Summit was held in Dhaka from 12-13 November. The summit dealt specifically with areas such as poverty alleviation, economic cooperation, counter-terrorism, disaster management, and the implementation of SAFTA. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was welcomed as the eighth member of SAARC. China and Japan were accorded observer status. Member countries adopted the 53-point Dhaka declaration aimed at focusing regional cooperation in South Asia to accelerate growth and progress. They expressed their determination to unite in their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, noting United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 in this regard. They also emphasized the need for an early conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Member states agreed to strengthen their cooperation in important areas such as exchange of information, coordination, and cooperation among their relevant agencies. Leaders expressed satisfaction at the ratification of the Additional Protocol to the SAARC Convention on Suppression of Terrorism by all member states and called for establishing effective mechanisms for its implementation. Recognizing the specific vulnerability of the sovereignty and independence of small states, they resolutely committed to protect the interest and security of these states through the pursuit of appropriate policies and actions. Other key events included endorsement of the SDGs and establishment of the SAARC Poverty Alleviation Fund. Member states also participated in bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit. The 14th SAARC Summit was scheduled to convene in New Delhi in January 2007. 2004: The 24th meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers convened in Islamabad, Pakistan from 2-3 January. The Ministers reached a consensus regarding the text of an Additional Protocol to the 1987 SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism which addresses issues involving the funding of terrorism. The Protocol was designed to strengthen the Convention "by criminalizing the provision, collection or acquisition of funds for the purpose of committing terrorist acts" and by increasing efforts to prevent the financing of terrorism. Specifically, it encourages States to hold individuals or groups that have committed terroristrelated offenses liable domestically, and to implement practical measures and adapt domestic legislation to prevent and suppress terrorist financing. The Ministers also adopted several other documents, including the final draft of a document establishing a South Asian Free Trade Area and a Social Charter.

The Council of Ministers meeting was directly followed by the Twelfth SAARC Summit of the Heads of State and Government, which convened, also in Islamabad, from 4-6 January. At the Summit, leaders addressed means of increasing regional cooperation in the areas of economics; poverty alleviation; science and technology development; social, cultural and environmental issues; and terrorism prevention. They signed the Additional Protocol to the SAARC Regional Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism approved days earlier by the Council of Ministers. It will enter into force 30 days after the final instrument of ratification is deposited. Furthermore, counter- terrorism was a major topic addressed in the Summit Declaration. Heads of State and Government condemned terrorist violence in all forms and stated that terrorism continues to be a major threat in South Asia, as well as a challenge to all States worldwide. They also stressed that terrorism violates the United Nations and SAARC charters and reaffirmed their commitment to the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression on Terrorism in addition to other relevant international conventions to which they are party. Foreign ministers of the SAARC States met in Islamabad for the 25th session of the Council of Ministers meeting from 20-21 July. With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri serving as chairman, the Ministers reviewed progress made in implementing decisions reached at the January Summit, including counter-terrorism efforts, and continued preliminary preparations for the 13th annual summit in 2005. They also engaged in discussion regarding poverty alleviation; financial cooperation; and energy, environmental; and social issues. They approved plans of action in some of these areas. Ministers also approved the nomination of Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorj of Bhutan as the next SAARC Secretary-General. 2002: The 22nd session of the Council of Ministers was held from 2-3 January in Kathmandu, Nepal. Among other topics, the ministers discussed implementation of the SAARC Regional Convention on Terrorism, stressing its significance in light of recent developments. They additionally issued recommendations on a range of other topics to the 11th Summit. The 11th SAARC Summit was convened in Kathmandu on 4-6 January. In the Summit declaration, the Heads of State or Government were of the view that stability, peace, and security in South Asia should be promoted together with efforts to improve the global security environment. They underscored their commitment to general and complete disarmament including nuclear disarmament on a universal basis, under effective international control. They agreed that global nonproliferation goals could not be achieved in the absence of progress towards nuclear disarmament and in this context called upon all nuclear weapon States (NWS), whether party or non-party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to engage constructively through a transparent and credible process of negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament (CD). The leaders also recognized the linkage between disarmament and development. The Heads of State or Government recognized that due to their particular vulnerability, small States require special measures for support from the international community for the safeguarding of their sovereign independence and territorial integrity. They reiterated that the real protection of small States should be firmly rooted in the scrupulous adherence to the UN Charter, and the rule of law and the strict adherence to universally accepted principles and norms related to sovereign rights and territorial integrity of all States, irrespective of size.

The Heads of State or Government were convinced that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is a challenge to all States and to all of humanity, and cannot be justified on ideological, political, religious, or on any other ground. The leaders agreed that terrorism violates the fundamental values of the United Nations and the SAARC Charter and constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security in the 21st century. In this regard, they emphasized the need for the urgent conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on Combating International Terrorism. They also emphasized that international cooperation to combat terrorism should be conducted in conformity with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant international conventions. They also reiterated their support of UNSC Resolution 1373 of 28 September 2001 and affirmed their determination to redouble efforts, collectively as well as individually, to prevent and suppress terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Such efforts would include increased cooperation and full implementation of the relevant international conventions relating to terrorism to which they are parties. In this context, they called on all States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts by criminalizing the collection of funds for such acts and refraining from organizing, instigating, assisting, or participating in terrorist acts in States or acquiescing in organized activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts. The leaders reaffirmed that the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations had to be comprehensive and sustained. The Heads of State or Government were unanimous in recognizing the distinct ominous link between terrorism, drug-trafficking, money laundering, and other trans-national crimes and emphasized the need to coordinate efforts at the national and regional levels to strengthen the global response to this serious challenge and threat to international security. They called upon the international community to assist Member States of SAARC to deal effectively with the adverse economic effects of terrorism in general and to meet the rising insurance and securityrelated costs in particular. The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed their commitment to the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, which, among other things, recognizes the seriousness of the problem of terrorism as it affects the security, stability, and development of the region. They also reiterated their firm resolve to accelerate the enactment of enabling legislation within a definite time-frame for the full implementation of the Convention, together with strengthening the SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk and the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk. Also in January, Qama Rahim of Bangladesh became SAARC Secretary-General. He succeeded Sri Lanka's Nihal Rodrigo, who completed a three-year term. On 21-22 August, the twenty-third session of the SAARC Council of Ministers was held in Kathmandu, Nepal. In recognition of the need to update the SAARC Convention on Suppression of Terrorism on account of the obligations devolving on Member States under UNSC Resolution 1373 and the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism, the Council decided to hold a meeting of senior officials assisted by legal experts. The meeting of

the senior officials, which is to be held in Sri Lanka, will also prepare the ground for a Ministerial-level meeting. 1998: In the declaration of the 10th SAARC Summit in July, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Member States were of the view that stability, peace, and security in South Asia could not be considered in isolation from global security environment. They noted that the great power rivalry, which the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) had consistently opposed, no longer posed a serious threat and the danger of a global nuclear conflagration had abated. However, some States still sought to maintain huge arsenals of nuclear weapons and the NPT and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), to which some SAARC Members were signatories, had not led to any progress towards nuclear disarmament nor prevented proliferation. The Member States underscored their commitment to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons and the need for promoting nuclear disarmament on a universal basis, under effective international control. They recognized that global nonproliferation goals could not be achieved in the absence of progress towards nuclear disarmament and in this context called upon all NWS, whether party or nonparty to the NPT, to engage constructively through a transparent and credible process of negotiations at the CD. The Member States urged the CD to commence negotiations on a comprehensive, universal, and non-discriminatory international instrument prohibiting the use or the threat of nuclear weapons as well as eliminating such weapons in existing arsenals. 1997: In the declaration of the Ninth SAARC Summit in May, in Mal, Maldives, the Member States recognized the need for the international community to pursue nuclear disarmament as a matter of highest priority. In this regard, they recognized the need to start negotiations through the CD and to establish a phased program for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons within a specified framework of time, including a Nuclear Weapons Convention. 1995: In the declaration of the Eighth SAARC Summit in May 1995, in New Delhi, India, the Member States noted that while the international community had successfully created a norm against chemical and biological weapons, it had, unfortunately, been unable to do the same with regard to nuclear weapons. They expressed the conviction that more needed to be done and at a far greater pace. They reiterated that the utmost priority was to be given to nuclear disarmament, given the danger posed by nuclear weapons. The Member States urged the CD to negotiate an international convention prohibiting the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances and to undertake negotiations for the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons within a specified period of time. 1993: In the declaration of the Seventh SAARC Summit in April, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Member States noted a number of recent positive developments in the area of nuclear, chemical, and conventional disarmament, including the agreements on bilateral arms reductions between the United States and Russia. They expressed their hope that the implementation of the farreaching arms reduction agreed to in the Washington Agreement of June 1992 and START II signed in Moscow in January 1993 would be successfully carried out. The Member States urged all NWS to collectively endeavor to attain the ultimate goal of complete elimination of nuclear arsenals in the shortest possible time.

1991: In the declaration of the Sixth SAARC Summit in December, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Member States assessed current international developments in the political sphere particularly those that affected the lives of the people of South Asia. They noted the changing power structures in international relations and the reduction of confrontations and tensions, particularly among the United States and USSR. These have contributed to the receding of the threat of nuclear confrontation and to agreements on disarmament measures. The Member States hoped that these developments would restrain the pursuit of military power in all areas of the world and expressed hope that the peace dividend would be used for promoting the further development of developing countries. They welcomed the trend towards popularly based democratic governments in different parts of the world, including in South Asia. 1990: In the declaration of the Fifth SAARC Summit in November, in Mal, Maldives, the Member States expressed the hope that the talks between the United States and USSR on arms control would culminate in the conclusion of an agreement for substantial reduction in their nuclear arsenals leading to the total elimination of nuclear weapons. While welcoming the measures being considered for arms reduction at the global level, they were convinced that the objective could be best achieved through the promotion of mutual trust and confidence among the Member States. They underlined the inherent relationship between disarmament and development and called upon all countries, especially those possessing the largest nuclear and conventional arsenals, to re-channel additional financial resources, human energy, and creativity into development. Member States expressed their support for the banning of chemical weapons and early conclusion of a CTBT. In this context, they welcomed the convening of the UN Conference in January 1991 to consider amendments to the Partial Test Ban Treaty to convert it into a CTBT. 1988: In the declaration of the Fourth SAARC Summit in December, in Islamabad, Pakistan, the Member States called for the early conclusion by the CD of a CTBT and a Convention to Ban Chemical Weapons. They declared their intention to continue their efforts to contribute to the realization of the objective of halting the nuclear arms race and eliminating nuclear weapons, as well as declared their resolve to support every effort to conclude a treaty prohibiting vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. 1987: At the Third SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal, there was disagreement over a proposal by Pakistan for a South Asian treaty banning nuclear weapons; the final declaration simply noted SAARC's resolve to "contribute" to nuclear disarmament. The States also called for the early conclusion in the Geneva CD of a CTBT and a Convention to Ban Chemical Weapons, declared their intention to continue their efforts to contribute to the implementation of the objective of halting the nuclear arms race and eliminating nuclear weapons, and declared their resolve to support every effort to conclude a treaty prohibiting vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons. 1986: In the declaration of the Second SAARC Summit in November, in Bangalore, India, the Member States noted with deep disappointment that the promise held out by the US-Soviet Summit in Reykjavik could not be realized. They, however, noted with satisfaction that the proposals made at the Summit were still on the table and expressed the earnest hope that the negotiations would be resumed without delay so that a decisive step could be taken towards

realizing the ultimate goal of eliminating nuclear weapons altogether. The Member States called for the early conclusion of a CTBT. 1985: The Heads of State or Government at their First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka on 7-8 December adopted the Charter formally establishing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). In the declaration of the First SAARC Summit the Member States expressed concern at the deteriorating international political situation and the unprecedented escalation of the arms race, particularly in its nuclear aspect. They recognized that mankind was confronted with the threat of self-extinction arising from a massive accumulation of the most destructive weapons ever produced and that the arms race intensified international tension and violated the principles of the UN Charter. The Member States called upon the NWS to undertake negotiations on a CTBT leading to the complete cessation of testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons. In this connection, they welcomed the recent meeting between President Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev in Geneva and expressed the hope that the meeting would have a positive effect on international peace and security

Area of Cooperation
Agriculture and Rural Technical Committee Agriculture continues to key constituent in each South Asian economy in respect of employment as also contribution to national GDP. In some countries though Agricultures share in GDP may be diminishing in terms of its share in GDP, in terms of employment and centrality in rural economies, farm and non-farm sector, premised on basic farming as also engaging the large majority of small and marginal farming households, agricultures role in the SAARC Member States is projected to remain the key to driving overall national economic growth and well-being of its people. From the very inception of SAARC, regional cooperation within the Association on agriculture and rural development has therefore been in focus. In the pre-formative stage of the Association, as early as in September 1981, a meeting of the Study Group for Agriculture was convened in Dhaka. That was followed by two meetings of the Working Group on Agriculture followed (March and December, 1982) and the first Meeting of SAARC Technical Committee on Agriculture (Dhaka, Nov. 1983). A number of meetings /interaction at the technical level e.g. counterpart scientists (on multi-location trial), application of statistics in agriculture research, exchange of scientific/technical information, potato programme followed till SAARC took off in its formal manner by the end of 1985. Within the inter-governmental structure of SAARC, thereafter, regional cooperation started moving through, as early as in 1990, two separate Technical Committees: on Agriculture and Rural Development, respectively. Through those, Member States evolved a number of specialized programmes and projects under the SAARC Integrated Programme of Action (SIPA).

Later, as per the reconstituted SAARC Integrated Programme of Action (SIPA), the two Technical Committees on Agriculture and Rural Development were merged into one as Technical Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development. The reconstituted Committee, with Nepal as the chair, started functioning since July 2000. In later years, following adoption of the Regional Integrated Programme of Action (RIPA) (in Islamabad, January 2004), India assumed the chair of TC-ARD (for two consecutive terms); and hosted Meetings of the TC-Agriculture & Rural Development (TC-ARD). The reconstituted TC-ARD was mandated to consider matters related to Livestock and Fisheries as well. Since then, it has been meting regularly: First Meeting (New Delhi, June 2004); Second Meeting (New Delhi, June 2005); Third Meeting (New Delhi, September 2006); Fourth Meeting (New Delhi, January 2008); Special Session (New Delhi, November 2008); Fifth Meeting (Dhaka, August 2009) Sixth Meeting is scheduled to be held during second half of 2010 in Dhaka (as Bangladesh currently holds the TCARD Chair), which will be followed by the SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture. Functioning of TCARD has been helpful in bridging critical knowledge gaps and in identifying numerous concrete areas for pursuing regional actions and projects. Its previous meetings have identified many thematic areas for exchanging knowledge and best practices, harmonization of regional approaches and priority actions to be pursued both at the national and regional levels. In course of its work, TCARD has so far deliberated on a number of demand-driven areas/projects, for instance on:

Water Resources Management for Agriculture in SAARC Countries; establishment of a SAARC Quadrangle Milk Grid (establishing joint venture projects for processing milk into high
value added shelf-life milk products and marketing these products in the proposed quadrangle covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. Nepal proposed the concept, in 2000) Exchange of Rural Development Volunteers in the SAARC Countries; establishment of Regional Food Bank (as decided by Twelfth SAARC Summit; original concept paper prepared by India); Water for Agriculture in SAARC Countries (concept prepared by India); Regional/sub-regional Projects on: Zero Energy Cold Storage; Bee-keeping; Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition of Fruits in Production Catchments; Sharing of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technology among the SAARC Countries; Study on Migration and Stock Assessment of Hilsa and Tuna Fish in the Bay of Bengal; Collection, Conservation and Characterization of Under-utilised Fruits and Vegetables in the Region; Establishment of Digital Livestock farm Database and Animal Identification and Traceability System. Deliberating on regional policies, programmes and projects, during 2004/05, TCARD felt the need to pursue regional cooperation in agriculture and rural development having a broader view of the challenges existing and the likely ones - and the opportunities. With that end in view, TCARD decided to draw up a longer term perspective/vision document and thereafter pursue cooperation in a focused manner based on that document. As a major output of TCARD, during 20062008, based on the perspectives and inputs from each Member State, the SAARC Agricultural Perspective/Vision 2020 wasfinalised. The document articulated the long-term regional challenges and priority measures inter alia in production augmentation, natural resource management, bio-safety and bio-security, technology development and dissemination, seed and other inputs, food safety/standard, climate change adaptation and risk mitigation, and livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in farming and non-farm activities. It also brings forth the recent challenges e.g. Avian Influenza that appears to threaten much of the gains achieved in rural South Asia over the past years , especially for bottom poor and the marginal farmers. Within the relevant inter-governmental bodies/mechanisms in SAARC, Member States are showing greater engagement in spearheading collaboration in those areas. The SAARC Agriculture Ministers launched the document during their Extra-ordinary Meeting (New Delhi, 5 November 2008). With a view to creating and harnessing synergy between SAARC and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Dhaka, in 2007, a MoU was signed between SAARC and CIRDAP (Kathmandu, 20 April 2007). Ministerial Meeting

Till inception of SAARC, the Ministers dealing with Agriculture from SAARC Member States have met a number of times: Islamabad, October 1996; Islamabad, December 2006; New Delhi, November 2008 [ met as an Extra-Ordinary Ministerial Meeting, as directed by the Fifteenth Summit: Colombo Statement on Food Security ]. Next, the next Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to convene during the second half of 2010 in Dhaka. The Ministerial process continues to provide important directives. At the their last i.e. Extra-ordinary Meeting (New Delhi, Nov. 2008), each Member State made presentation on topics inter aliareflecting respective national experience as well as on possible regional approach to deal with the challenges: increase in food production; Agriculture research and prevention of soil health degradation Bhutan; Sharing of Best Practices in Procurement and Distribution; Management of the climatic and disease-related risks in agriculture; Investment in agriculture and agro-based industries; and Development and sharing of agricultural technologies. They expressed satisfaction at the operationalisation of the SAARC Food Bank, especially as the countries designated godowns/storage facilities where their respective share of food grain would be maintained. They also directed on early finalization of the Material Transfer Agreement; Preparation of the draft SAARC Food Safety and Quality Standards for agricultural produce'; and activation pf the Counterpart Scientists Meeting process to undertake field trials of select varieties of rice and wheat in the Region. Noting the importance underlined by the Member States on deepening agriculture research-extension extension linkages, a focused attention on the new dimensions in Agriculture Extension Management in SAARC Countries was also emphasized. Similarly,cooperation in the areas of: Farm Mechanisation, Development and Harmonization of a SAARC Quarantine Network and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Agriculture were highlighted as areas of significant potential. Member States further agreed to forward respective success stories related to agriculture research and extension having potential for replication in other countries. For instance, India made available twenty-five documentaries related to its different technologies; Bangladesh shared its Deep Placement of Urea technology in ric e for ensuring efficient nutrient management; Nepal agreed to share their experience of Group Approach in Agriculture Extension; and Sri Lanka informed of their interest in sharing three success stories for module building. The Ministers noted the progress on (Indias initiative in) establishing seed testing laboratories in five Member States, under which need-based training on seed technology would also be imparted. The Ministers underscored the need for regional actionsto combat pests and diseases and to develop collective strategies to address emerging diseases. In particular, the need to prepare against the emerging disease of wheat rusts received immediate attention.The Meeting agreed on collective measures in dealing with the challenges posed by UG-99 Disease; and adopted a SAARC Declaration on UG-99. They further adopted an Intent of Cooperation in the area of Bio-Fertiliser. The Ministers finally adopted a New Delhi Declaration on Food Security . Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) Meeting Given the endemic nature and rapidly increasing incidence of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases, some of these being highly zoonotic, the CVOs from SAARC Member States have been meeting regularly since 2008. [First Meeting: New Delhi, June 2008; Second Meeting: Dhaka, April 2009; Third Meeting: scheduled in Colombo, 2010]. The CVOs have embarked inter alia on a number of crucial areas: providing periodic update on disease prevalence within respective territory for further concrete measures; training experts from other countries in leading Veterinary Training Institution /academic institution; Continuous Veterinary Education; exchange of respective Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials; sharing of respective epidemiological information on FMD and PPR diseases; evolving a

regional Bio-Security Model (particularly focused on backyard poultry); early institution of a Regional Surveillance Plan for HPAI. They have also been considering the possibility of establishing a Regional Vaccine Bank. As a first step in that direction, it has been agreed to share respective genetic data on the Priority Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TADs). The CVOs have finalized a Road Map for Control of Trans-Boundary Animal Diseases to which Member States are conveying respective responses. They further finalized a Proforma Questionnaire to have fuller view of the prevailing situation in each Member State. In an effort to tap the larger developmental dimensions in livestock sector, since the First Meeting (2008), the CVOs have considered a number of areas of regional collaboration. For instance, the Second Meeting agreed to undertake the projectoriented activities (on regional basis) on: Training on Quality Control of Vaccines (proposed by Sri Lanka); Improvement of quality of Buffalo breeds (proposed by Pakistan); Development of Dairy Cooperative Societies (proposed by Pakistan); Training on Genetic Characterization (proposed by Sri Lanka); and Progressive Control of PPR (proposed by Bangladesh). Inter-governmental Core Group on Research-ExtensionFarmer Linkages (IGCG R-E-F) SAARC Agriculture Ministers Meeting (Islamabad, Dec. 2006), based on the recommendations of the Regional Workshop on Research-Extension Linkages for Effective Delivery of Agricultural Technologies in SAARC Countries (Hyderabad, India, 2022 November 2006), underscored the importance of education, in particular to the agricultural universities, in developing comprehensive linkage among research, extensi on and farmers. Likewise, the role of private sector, input dealers, farmers organizations, civil societies and media were also recognized. It was agreed that research systems should accord high priority to frontier technologies in order to attain genetic improvements with desired traits. Towards effective research-extension-farmer (R-E-F) linkages, the Ministers agreed on a set of specific national priorities and actions: strong support of the Governments in terms of enabling policy frameworks and provision of adequate resources; competence building in research and extension personnel, with an emphasis on creating right type of mindset and attitude; knowledge-based technology forecasting keeping in consideration emerging paradigm shifts due to WTO and new IPR regime; ICT-based, low cost, personalized agro-advisory systems. In terms of regional actionsrelated to extension systems, it was agreed that: an Inter-governmental Core Group to be established to guide collaboration in the areas of Research and Extension (IGCG R-E-F), with two sub-groups i.e. one on research, the other on extension; coordinating institutions to be identified for both research and extension, in addition to designated national focal points; E-based discussion groups to be formed, in addition to these institutionalised mechanism(s), with inclusion of private sector practitioners e.g. media, input dealers, NGOs, farmers organizations in such groups [SAC to facilitate /coordinate the dialogue process]; documentation and sharing of success stories, wherein strong RE-F linkage mechanisms have evolved in SAARC countries; examination of the successful modules for adoption in other countries, wherever feasible with suitable modifications; and, exchange of visits among volunteers/extension specialists, on a high priority. In particular context of preparing against the emerging disease i.e. wheat-rusts, it was decided to: conduct genetic and molecular studies to characterize resistant genes; develop high-yielding varieties with diverse resistant sources against major epidemics; develop, and refine efficient and appropriate production technologies; and, focus on sharing of knowledge, research facilities and exchange of successful experiences among researchers. First meeting of the IGCG agreed on its broad mandate to enhance farm productivity, to reduce gaps between yields at the research and the farm levels and to promote innovative farm practices, agricultural know-how and frontier technologies: Examine the existing policy approaches and institutional arrangements, status of development, and the current level and extent of cooperation on agricultural research and extension in SAARC countries; Identify, and seek to bridge, knowledge and technology gaps among the research, extension and farm levels, and facilitate transfer of technology and know-how on proven and potential technologies; Conduct collaborative studies and technical dialogue with the view to providing inputs for

developing regional policies, strategies and programmes and to suggesting policy options; Undertake other collaborative studies; and, Explore possible areas for sub-regional and regional cooperation among the South Asian agriculture, including identification of appropriate projects. The areas of work for the IGCG may include, but not limited to: Germplasm exchange and varietal improvement; Quality seed production; Farm mechanization, machinery and implements; On-farm water management; Bio-fertilizers; Integrated Crop/Pest Management; Post-harvest and Value Chain Management; Land degradation and soil fertility management; Documentation and sharing of good agricultural experiences; Quality feed for livestock, poultry and fisheries; Livestock development, particularly breed development; Milk and dairy processing; Trans-boundary livestock diseases; Fishing and Fish processing; IT-based technology transfer; Public-private partnership; Agricultural vulnerability and risk management; Food safety and quality standards; and, Market intelligence and trade. At its last i.e. Second meeting, the Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) was finalized. The IGCG has so far met twice: Dhaka, November 2007; and, Dehradun (India), in May 2009. Its third Meeting is scheduled in Kandy (Sri Lanka) in August 2010. FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES As an important endeavour of TCARD, the Food Security Initiatives generated in 2003. Under the aegis of SAARC-FAO collaboration, through expert-level meetings (2003-2005), regional projects on Food Security, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TADs) were drawn up. By February 2005, SAARC Member States finalized the Global Framework for containment of the Priority Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (GFTADs) for South Asia. The Framework, adopted during the Thirteenth SAARC Summit (Dhaka, Nov. 2005), also decided on location of the five entities to be established to contain the three priority TADs i.e. Regional Reference Diagnostic Laboratories on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Islamabad; Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Bhopal, India; Peste Petit des Ruminants (PPR) in Dhaka; Regional Epidemiological Centre (REC) in Kathmandu; and Regional Support Unit (RSU) in Kathmandu. As of April 2010, work is in progress to establish and operationalise the five entities in these locations, with technical assistance of and coordination by FAO/OIE (and financial contribution/ technical inputs from EC). During 2007-08, as a SAARC-FAO collaborative effort, a (first-ever) SAARC Regional Strategy and Regional Programme for Food Security was drawn up. This was eventually adopted by the Fifteenth Summit (Colombo, August 2008). Out of that, as many as ten regional projects were finalized, under four broad clusters: Clusters Priority Projects Enhancing productivity of small farmers in marginal and unfavorable areas /regions; Enhancing and sustaining production and productivity in favourable areas; Productivity, Sustainability and Income Enhancement Technical and policy support towards conservation and efficient use of land, water and bio-diversity resources; Promoting rational/balanced use of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, agrochemicals); Pre and Post-Harvest Loss Reduction and Value Chain Management Ensuring Bio-Security

Prevention of pre and post harvest losses, through appropriate interventions, and value chain development;

Development/Updating of national SPS Standards in line with CODEX;

Development/up-gradation of Accredited Laboratories in SAARC Region; Institutionalization of a SAARC mechanism/network on control of TransBoundary Plant and Fish Diseases; Support/assistance in capacity-building in the areas of food safety, quality and standards; Agricultural Trade and Marketing for Support/assistance for capacity-building in analysis and formulation of Food Security agricultural trade policies for ensuring food security;

By mid-2009, with technical assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB), work has been underway to fully develop five of the Projects: Enhancing productivity of small farmers in marginal and unfavorable areas/regions; Prevention of pre- and post-harvest losses, through appropriate interventions and value chain development; Promoting regional/ balanced use of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, agro-chemicals); Development /upgrading of national food standards in line with regional and international standards; and mutually recognized SAARC accredited laboratory system; and Institutionalization of SAARC mechanism /network on control of trans- boundary plants, animals and fish diseases. The SAARC-ADB Inception Workshop for the Projects is scheduled (Dhaka, 19-20 May 2010); and the process is likely to be completed by early 2011. [text of the Regional Food Security pdf doc. to be hyperlinked] SAARC FOOD BANK [text of the Food Bank doc. to be hyperlinked] One of the earliest regional mechanisms set up by SAARC was on Food Reserve. The Agreement on Establishing the SAARC Food Security Reserve entered into force in 1988. However, due to various procedural and other difficulties, no Member State far utilized the food stock available under the Reserve. Given the growing over non-functioning of the Reserve, it was felt necessary to evolve mechanisms to make the SAARC Food Security Reserve operational. In order to overcome the inadequacies of the Reserve and to improve its functioning, the Council of Ministers (Islamabad, 23 January 2004) recommended establishment of a Regional Food Bank, which was endorsed by the Twelfth SAARC Summit (Islamabad, 4-6 January 2004). Thereafter, India prepared a Concept Paper for the Food Bank which was discussed over several rounds meetings of the Food Security Reserve Board and the Technical Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (TCARD). The Thirteenth Summit (Dhaka, 12-13 November 2005) reiterated the early establishment of the Bank. 3. By March 2007, an Inter-governmental Expert Group (IGEG) finalized the text of the Agreement for the establishment of the Food Bank. Some of the salient features of the Agreement vis--vis the Agreement on the SAARC Food Security Reserve have been that: (a) Scope of the Food Bank now stands expanded beyond emergencies. The Bank would act as a regional food security reserve for the SAARC Member Countries during normal time food shortages and emergencies; (b) the Agreement contains broad principles for determination of price. Prices, terms and conditions of payment in respect of the food grains would be directly negotiated between the concerned Member Countries, based on the guidelines for price determination (to be approved by the Food Bank Board periodically); (c) procedures for withdrawal and release of food grains have been rationalised and simplified; (d) roles of the Board to administer functioning of the Food Bank

and its policymaking have been delineated; (e) implementation at the national level is entrusted with the designated Nodal Point(s) on-the-ground. When the Agreement was signed at the Fourteenth Summit (New Delhi, April 2007), total quantum was finalized at 241,580 Metric Tons of food grains from the original signatory Member States. At that time, contribution of Afghanistan was left to be added as they would join SAARC. At the First Meeting of the Food Bank Board (Colombo, Oct. 2008), Afghanistan agreed to set their contribution at 1,420 MT (of wheat). Thus, the total quantum now stands at 243,000 MT. In context of addressing the Food Security challenges in the Region, SAARC Food Bank Board has come into operation since October 2008. Till date, the Board has met three times [Colombo, 15-16 October 2008; Colombo, 12-13 February 2009; Kabul, 8-9 November 2009]. Over these Meetings, the Board has finalized all the needed operational modalities/measures, in keeping with the Agreement. Each Member State has designated the godowns/storage facilities in close proximity of respective border where their earmarked quantum of food grain is stored - in terms of rice or wheat. Each country has also confirmed respective Nodal Point in the Ministry/Department of Food/Agriculture who would receive request(s) from counterparts in other Member States to expeditiously process request for food grains. Modalities for determination of prices of food grains have been finalized, including through deferred payment. Certain guidelines to deal with emerging scenario have also been finalized. On the important mandate of the Board to periodically analyse the overall regional food grain scenario (requirement, production, shortfall/deficit) existing as well as envisaged the Board Members decided to directly interface with respective Ministry(ies) dealing with Agriculture (for production data), Food (for food grain requirement data) and Commerce/Trade (for export/import data); and validate the data within respective Governments for eventual collation at regional level. The last i.e. third Meeting further recommended doubling its overall quantum i.e. to 486,000 MT given the rising need in the Region. By early 2009, a first request was also received from one Member State to avail the Food Bank. However, for the Food Bank to assume formal legal status, the ratification is pending from one Member State. SAARC AGRICULTURE CENTRE (SAC) The SAARC Agricultural Centre (SAC) originally started its journey in 1989 as SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC). Located at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) complex in Dhaka, it s the first Regional Centre established by SAARC. Since then, it has been serving to network relevant agricultural research and information networks in SAARC Member States, exchange regionally generated technical information to strengthen agricultural research, development and innovations. [for more information, log on at: www.saarcagri.net] Since then , SAIC remained engaged in promoting cooperation in agriculture among the Member States, by establishing regional information network on agricultural and allied discipline; identifying and documenting agricultural and pertinent literatures (including forestry, fisheries, livestock and allied disciplines); serving the agricultural information needs of the Member States; promoting new and better techniques for handling and dissemination of agricultural information; and collecting and disseminating information on proven agricultural technologies and effective farm practices and development as well as introduction of emerging new and frontier technologies. The Centres products and services are aimed to facilitate the performances of researchers, extensionists, scientists, technologists, etc. by providing relevant and timely agricultural information to reinforce their research and development activities thereby enabling them to better serve the farmers. In 2006, considering its nearly two decades of commendable work, Member States agreed to expand the mandate of SAIC and upgrade the Centre as a Centre to deal with all sub-sectors /allied disciplines of Agriculture e.g. Crops, Fisheries, Livestock, Horticulture. The First Meeting of the Governing Board of SAC was held in November 2007. At present, SAC regularly brings out a range of publications: SAC Newsletter; SAARC Journal of Agriculture; Bulletins of Agricultural Statistical & Food grain Situation in SAARC Countries; SAARC Agri. News, Views & Ideas. Depending on various context, it also brings out occasional publications: technical publications; Directories; Bibliographies; Databases;

Union Catalogue. Indeed, following each Workshop it organizes on themes/areas of topical interest in the Region, it brings out the (detail) Proceedings and Reports (with recommendations). The Centre also produces audio-visual materials (in different formats) on various subjects. Over the past two decades, it has collected a significant number of videos (VHS format) produced by Member States, which are maintained in SAC Video Library. Both audio-visual and printed materials collected by SAC, are being reproduced for distribution to institutions and a range of stake-holders whenever the Centre receives requests for those. Through the SACNet programme, it aims to provide access to agricultural information through a web-based information network. Such networking service enhances the existing agricultural knowledge and information systems of SAARC Member States and provide platform to exchange ideas, information and knowledge. The Centre is maintaining CD-ROM databases for providing Agricultural Bibliographic Information Service (ABIS) through CD-ROM search services. The internationally procured CD-ROM databases are updated regularly, which include: CAB ABSTRACTS; Crop science database; AGRICOLA; FSTA; PG & breeding database; BEAST CD; Veterinary science database; Soil science database; Forest science database; Horticultural science database; Parasitology database; AGRIS; Biological abstracts. In most cases, such database spreads form three decades. SAC also organizes regional seminar/workshops with participation from the Member States, on topics that are of contemporary interest to the Region. Following a workshop/seminar, the Centre continues to follow-up the recommendations that generate during the deliberations to fulfill demands for skill-based services in the Region. For instance, a Workshop on Research-Extension Linkages was organised (in collaboration with National Academy of Agricultural Research (NAARM), Hyderabad, India; 20 22 November 2006), which eventually led to various steps to strengthen research-extension systems in the Region. Besides workshops, SAC has been organizing national-level seminars, providing opportunities for researchers and scientists from the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), to share ideas on issues of contemporary interest in the area of agricultural research, extension and development. Every year, around October/November, SAC Governing Board is convened, with a view to draw up the activities of the Centre for the next calendar year [Second Meeting held: October 2008; Third Meeting held: November 2009]. Funding Mechanism SAARC Development Fund (SDF) In 1996, a first funding mechanism was created in SAARC, South Asian Development Fund (SADF), merging the SAARC Fund for Regional Projects (SFRP) and the SAARC Regional Fund. SADF objectives were to support industrial development, poverty alleviation, protection of environment, institutional/human resource development and promotion of social and infrastructure development projects in the SAARC region. SADF started with a resource base of US$5 million (contributed on pro-rata basis by SAARC Member States), and till its closure in June 2008, had funds amounting to approx. US$ 7.0 million. Till its closure, SADF completed techno-economic feasibility studies for sixteen project studies. During 2002-2005, SAARC Member States considered instituting various sectoral funding mechanisms e.g. Poverty Alleviation Fund, Infrastructure Fund, South Asian Development Bank, Media Development Fund, Voluntary Fund for the Differently Able Persons. A primary reason was that the existing South Asian Development Fund (SADF) was found to be inadequate i.e. in terms of required quantum of funds and its limited scope of work. In order to avoid proliferation of funds, the SAARC Financial Experts (September 2005) looked at the entire gamut of issues relating to funding of SAARC projects and programmes; and, amongst others, agreed that in lieu of proliferating sectoral financing mechanisms, the SADF be reconstituted into the SAARC Development Fund (SDF). And, SDF would have a permanent Secretariat, with three Windows (Social, Economic, Infrastructure). The Thirteenth SAARC Summit (Dhaka, 12-13 November 2005) finally decided to reconstitute the SADF into SDF to serve as the umbrella financial mechanism for all SAARC projects and programmes. The Social Window would primarily focus poverty alleviation and social development projects. The Infrastructure Window would cover projects in the areas namely energy, power, transportation, telecommunications, environment, tourism and other infrastructure areas. The Economic Window would primarily be devoted to non-infrastructural funding.

Following that, by March 2008, an Inter-Governmental process on SDF, concluded the work on the SDF legal architecture i.e. Charter, Bye laws. As it finalized the legal architecture, among others, it mandated the SAARC Secretariat to function as the interim Secretariat for the SDF to operationalise the Fund from available resources and to implement identified projects, till such time a Permanent Secretariat is established.

The SDF Charter was signed at the Fifteenth SAARC Summit (Colombo, 2 3 August 2008). The Summit also agreed that SDF Permanent Secretariat would be established in Thimphu. The Fifteenth Summit further decided that Member States would early ratify the SDF Charter. Once the SDF inter-governmental process completed its work, SDF Board became functional and has been meeting periodically: Second Meeting (SAARC Secretariat, May 2008), Third Meeting (SAARC Secretariat, 21 July 2008), Fourth Meeting (Thinphu, 29-30 April 2009), Fifth Meeting (Kabul, 1-2 September 2009), Sixth Meeting (Thimphu, 25-26 November 2009), Seventh Meeting (SAARC Secretariat, 3-5 February 2009). Two regional Projects have so far been underway: The first Project i.e. on Women Empowerment (since August 2008); and, the second Project on Maternal & Child Health (MCH) (since September 2009). Efforts are underway to initiate steps related to the Project on Teachers Training, as approved by the SAARC Finance Ministers (2007). At the last i.e. Seventh Meeting of the SDF Board, three more regional/sub-regional Projects were also taken up: on Zero Energy Cold Storage; on Post-harvest Management and Value addition of Fruits in Production Catchments in SAARC Countries; and, on Facilitating Access to Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy Technologies, with special focus on Women in selected SAARC Countries. A growing interest is evident among the SAARC inter-governmental bodies/mechanisms to draw up focused Projects regional or sub-regional and to seek funding from SDF. Over the past two years (2008-09), the SDF Operational Modalities, initial personnel structure of the Fund has been finalized to facilitate operationalisaiton of the SDF Permanent Secretariat in Thimphu. The Seventh Meeting of the Board recommended to the SDF Governing Council on appointment of the first CEO of the Fund. By early April 2010, the Members of the SDF Governing Council i.e. the SAARC Finance Ministers approved the CEO. Once approved by the Sixteenth SAARC Summit, the CEO would formally initiate the work of the SDF Secretariat. During the Summit, in presence of the heads of State/Government, the SDF Secretariat would be formally inaugurated. By April 2010, all Member States have ratified the SDF Charter. On 15 April 2010, therefore, SAARC Secretary General issued the notification on the Charters entry into force. This completed the entire legal process for the SDF. Of the determined corpus i.e. Initial Paid-up Capital of SDR 200 million (approx. US$ 300 million), the Secretariat has so far received the full quantum of the assessed subscription from India and Bhutan. India has additionally sent US$ 100 million, as its voluntary contribution for Projects on Social Development. OtherMember States are expected to forward respective