List of SAARC summits

This is a list of summits of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Although the SAARC Charter requires the heads of state or government to meet once a year, the summits have generally taken place approximately every eighteen months.

Member Nations

Flag of Afghanistan
Flag of Bangladesh
Flag of Bhutan
Flag of India
Flag of Maldives
Flag of Nepal
Flag of Pakistan
Flag of Sri Lanka

Summits

First summit Bangladesh Bangladesh

The first summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 7–8 December 1985 and was attended by the Government representative and president of Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the kings of Bhutan and Nepal, and the prime minister of India.[1] signed the SAARC Charter on 8 December 1985, thereby establishing the regional association, and established study groups on the problems of terrorism and drug trafficking, as well as planning a ministerial-level meeting about GATT, and a ministerial-level conference on increasing the participation of women at the regional level.[1] The summit also agreed to establish a SAARC secretariat and adopted an official SAARC emblem.[1]

Second summit India India

The second summit was held in November 16–17 Bengaluru, India in 1986. The Heads of State or Government welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the SAARC Secretariat by the Council of Ministers and their decision to locate the Secretariat in Kathmandu and appoint Ambassador Abul Ahsan of Bangladesh as the first Secretary-General of south Asian association of regional cooperation.

Third summit Nepal Nepal

The third summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 2–4 November 1987, and was attended by the presidents of Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, and the kings of Bhutan and Nepal.[2] The foreign ministers of the member states signed the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and an agreement to establish a South Asian Food Reserve.[2]

Fourth summit Pakistan Pakistan

The fourth summit was held in Islamabad, Pakistan on 29–31 December 1988 and was attended by the presidents of Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, and the kings of Bhutan and Nepal.[3] The summit discussed the coup attempt on 3 November 1988, declared 1989 to be the "SAARC Year Against Drug Abuse", declared 1990 to be the "SAARC Year of the Girl Child", set up a technical committee on education, and launched a regional plan called "SAARC-2000-A Basic Needs Perspective" to meet specific targets by the end of the twentieth century in areas such as food, shelter, education and environmental protection.[3] It was also agreed to hold regular "South Asian Festivals" with the first being hosted by India.[3] and the 19th summit will be held on november at Islamabad ,Pakistan also. India will not take part because of pakistans cross border terrorism

Fifth summit Maldives Maldives

The fifth summit was held in Malé, Maldives on 21–23 November 1990 and was attended by the presidents of Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the prime ministers of India, Nepal and Pakistan, and the king of Bhutan.[4] The leaders signed the SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, launched the Special SAARC Travel Document (providing visa-exemptions for national judges, parliamentarians and academics and their immediate families), launched a Scheme for the Promotion of Organised Tourism, authorized the SAARC secretariat to share information and exchange reports, studies and publications with the European Community and the Association of South East Asian Nations, declared various SAARC years (1991-2000 AD) to be the "SAARC Decade of the Girl Child", 1991 to be the "SAARC Year of Shelter", 1992 to be the "SAARC Year of the Environment", 1993 to be the "SAARC Year of Disabled Persons", and decided to set up the SAARC

Sixth summit Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

The sixth summit was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 21 December 1991 and was attended by the prime ministers of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the presidents of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and the king of Bhutan.[5]

Seventh summit Bangladesh Bangladesh

The seventh summit was held in Dhaka, on 10–11 April 1993, and was attended by the presidents of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the prime ministers of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, and the king of Bhutan.[6]

Eighth summit India India

The eighth summit was held in New Delhi, on 2–4 May 1995, and was attended by the presidents of the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the prime ministers of Bangladesh, India and Nepal, and the king of Bhutan.[7]

Ninth summit Maldives Maldives

The ninth summit was held in Male, on 12–14 May 1997, and was attended by the presidents of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the prime ministers of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, and the king of Bhutan.[8]

Tenth summit Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

The tenth summit was held in Colombo, on 29–31 July 1998, and was attended by the presidents of the Maldives and Sri Lanka and the prime ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan.SAARC countries stressed for eradicating poverty and promoting joint collaboration.[9]

Eleventh summit Nepal Nepal

The eleventh summit was held in Kathmandu, on 4–6 January 2002, and was attended by the presidents of the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the prime ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.[10]

Twelfth summit Pakistan Pakistan

The twelfth summit was held in Islamabad, on 4–6 January 2004, and was attended by the presidents of the Maldives and Sri Lanka and the prime ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan.[11]

Thirteenth summit Bangladesh Bangladesh

The thirteenth summit was held in Dhaka, on 12–13 November 2005, and was attended by the prime ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Pakistan, the presidents of the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and the king of Nepal and attended the summit peacefully[12]

Fourteenth summit India India

The fourteenth summit of SAARC was held in New Delhi, India on 3rd-4 April 2007, and was attended by the presidents of Afghanistan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka and the prime ministers Bhutan, INDIA, Nepal and Pakistan and the chief adviser of the government of Bangladesh.

Fifteenth summit Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

The fifteenth summit of SAARC was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 1–3 August 2008. The issues discussed were regional cooperation, partnership for growth for the peoples of South Asia, connectivity, energy, the environment, water resources, poverty alleviation, the SAARC Development Fund, transport, information and communications technology development, science and technology, tourism, culture, the South Asian Free Trade Area, the SAARC Social Charter, women and children, education, combating terrorism, and the admission of Australia and Myanmar as observers.

Food security

At the summit, one of the major points of discussion was the global food crisis. The SAARC heads of government made a statement saying "in view of the emerging global situation of reduced food availability and worldwide rise in food prices, we direct that an Extra-ordinary Meeting of the Agriculture Ministers of the SAARC Member States be convened in New Delhi, India in November 2008, to evolve and implement people-centred short to medium term regional strategy and collaborative projects." They also acknowledged the need to forge greater cooperation with the international community to ensure the food availability and nutrition security.[13]

Sixteenth summit Bhutan Bhutan

The sixteenth summit was held in Thimpu, Bhutan on 28–29 April 2010. Bhutan hosted the SAARC summit for the first time. This was marked the silver jubilee celebration of SAARC that was formed in Bangladesh in December 1985. Climate change was the central issue of the summit with summit's theme "Towards a Green and Happy South Asia". Outcome of Thimpu Summit regarding climate change issue:

Seventeenth summit Maldives Maldives

Main article: 17th SAARC summit
Addu Convention Centre, venue of the 17th SAARC summit

The Seventeenth Summit was held from 10-11 of November 2011 in Addu City, Maldives. The Meeting, which was held at the Equatorial Convention Centre, Addu City was opened by the outgoing Chair of SAARC, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan, H.E.Lyonchhen Jigmi Yoezer Thinley.

H.E. Mohamed Nasheed was elected as the Chairperson of the 17th SAARC Summit. In his inaugural address President Nasheed highlighted three areas of cooperation in which progress should be made; trade, transport and economic integration; security issues such piracy and climate change; and good governance. The President also called on the Member States to establish a commission to address issues of gender inequalities in South Asia.

The Head of States of all the SAARC Member States addressed the Meeting. The inaugural meeting was attended by Foreign/External Ministers of SAARC Member States, the Secretary General of SAARC, the Heads of Observer Delegation, Cabinet Ministers of the Maldives, Ministers in the visiting delegations and other state dignitaries.

In her address Secretary General stated that the Summit being held under the theme of"Building Bridges" provides further impetus and momentum to build the many bridges that needs to be built: from bridging the gaps created by uneven economic development and income distribution, the gaps in recognizing and respecting the equality of men and women, the closing of space between intent and implementation.

In this Meeting, the Foreign Ministers of the respective Member States signed four agreements;

SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters SAARC Agreement on Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment SAARC Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards SAARC Seed Bank Agreement In addition, the Addu Declaration of the Seventeenth SAARC Summit was also adopted.

Eighteenth summit Nepal Nepal

Main article: 18th SAARC summit

The 18th SAARC Summit was held at the Nepalese capital Kathmandu from November 26 to November 27, 2014 and was attended by the prime ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the presidents of the Afghanistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The motto was ‘Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity’.[15]

Nineteenth summit Pakistan Pakistan

Main article: 19th SAARC summit

Pakistan scheduled to host the 19th summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Islamabad on 9 and 10 November 2016. India including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives will not attend SAARC SUMMIT due to 2016 Uri attack. Pakistan postponed the SAARC summit and announced that new dates would be released soon.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his address to the 19th SAARC summit being held in the Nepal’s capital,[16] said that the objective of this summit was to address the security issues between India and Pakistan. Hours after Indian PM Narendra Modi decided to boycott the SAARC Summit in Islamabad in the wake of Uri terror attack Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka have pulled out of the summit.[17]

According to sources, Bangladesh believes that growing interference in internal affairs of Bangladesh by one country has created environment not conducive to successful hosting of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in November 2016. Reportedly, Bangladesh said that it remains steadfast in its commitment to regional co-operation but believes these can only go forward in more congenial atmosphere.

Afghanistan stated that "Due to increased level of violence, fighting as a result of imposed terrorism on Afghanistan, President of Afghanistan with his responsibilities as Commander in Chief will be engaged and will not be able to attend the SAARC Summit."

Also, Bhutan has expressed concern over recent escalation of terrorism in the region, which seriously compromises environment for successful holding of the 19th SAARC Summit in Islamabad in Nov 2016, sources added. Bhutan has shared concerns of some of SAARC countries on deterioration of regional peace and security due to terrorism.

Sri Lanka decided to pull out of SAARC Summit, becoming the fifth country to pull out, citing the non-conductive situation in Islamabad. The island nation on September 30, 2016, said in a statement, "Sri Lanka condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stresses in this regard, the need to deal with the issue of terrorism in the region in a decisive manner".

Maldives on 1 October 2016 joined hands with other five nations and boycott the summit to become sixth nation to do so.

India alleged Pakistan for terrorism. It is reported by Indian media that the SAARC summit in Pakistan is cancelled due to pulling out of six SAARC member states citing "poor conducive atmosphere" in the South Asian region.

Nepal is only nation that have not pulled out of SAARC Sumit 2016. Nepal cannot pull out of SAARC summit due to present chairperson is from Nepal.

Nepal, the current chair of SAARC, urged that "a conducive environment be created soon to ensure the participation of all member states in the 19th SAARC summit in line with the spirit of the SAARC charter".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Dhaka Declaration" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  2. 1 2 Summit 1987.pdf "Kathmandu Declaration" Check |url= value (help) (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Islamabad Declaration" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  4. ↑ "Malé Declaration" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  5. ↑ "Colombo Declaration" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  6. ↑ "Seventh SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "Eighth SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  8. ↑ "Ninth SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  9. ↑ "Tenth SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  10. ↑ "Eleventh SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  11. ↑ "Twelfth SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  12. ↑ "Thirteenth SAARC Summit" (PDF). SAARC Secretariat. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  13. ↑ http://www.saarc-sec.org/data/summit15/colombostatementonfoodsecurity.htm
  14. ↑ "Area of Cooperation: Environment". SAARC. Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  15. ↑ Press Releases, 18th SAARC Summit Declaration, November 27, 2014
  16. ↑ http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/26-Nov-2014/pakistan-to-host-19th-saarc-summit-in-islamabad
  17. ↑ Mishra, Sitakanta. "FEATURED | Will SAARC Reincarnate?". IndraStra Global. doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.4029486. ISSN 2381-3652.

External links

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