South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- Organization Name
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
- Description
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia, with its secretariat headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Key Facts
- Founded: 8 December 1985 (Dhaka Declaration)
- Secretariat: Kathmandu, Nepal (established 1987)
- Members (8): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- Secretary-General: Md. Golam Sarwar (Bangladesh), assumed office 4 March 2023
- Observers (9): USA, EU, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Myanmar, Mauritius
- SAARC Charter: Aims for regional cooperation to improve welfare and quality of life
- Current status: Summits suspended since 2016 (19th Summit postponed due to India-Pakistan tensions)
Nepal Significance
- Nepal hosts the SAARC Secretariat. Nepal has chaired SAARC and uses it for regional connectivity advocacy.
- Headquarters
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Founded Year
- 1985
- Current Head/SG
- Md. Golam Sarwar
- Category
- Regional