Regional Cooperation
- The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed their commitment to
regional cooperation through SAARC and underscored the importance of
annual Summit meetings in charting common strategies for the
realization of the objectives and principles set out in the Charter
of the Association. Meeting for the first time at the dawn of the
new millennium, they solemnly renewed their pledge to strengthen the
Association and make it more cohesive, result oriented, and forward
looking, by adopting clearly defined programs and effective
implementation strategies in line with popular expectations. To give
effect to the shared aspirations for a more prosperous South Asia,
the Leaders agreed to the vision of a phased and planned process
eventually leading to a South Asian Economic Union.
- The Heads of State or Government stressed that equitable sharing
of the benefits of regional cooperation is essential to achieve and
maintain a minimum acceptable level of economic and social
development in each Member State. To this end, they expressed their
commitment to a speedier process of harmonizing their policies and
practices and imbibing regional goals and strategies in their
national development programs.
- The Heads of State or Government expressed their firm
determination to fully benefit from the wealth of traditional
wisdom, creativity and enterprise in the region. They also pledged
to enhance transparency and accountability in governance and to
encourage effective participation of the peoples and civil societies
in the formulation as well as implementation of the programs of
cooperation.
- Reiterating their resolve to promote South Asian regional
identity and to strengthen cooperation at the international level,
the Heads of State or Government also reemphasized the need to
evolve common positions on issues of shared interest at the
international fora.
Cooperation in the Economic Sector
- The Heads of State or Government agreed to accelerate cooperation
in the core areas of trade, finance and investment to realize the
goal of an integrated South Asian economy in a step-by-step manner.
They expressed their determination to make full use of regional
synergy to maximize the benefits of globalisation and liberalization
and to minimize their negative impacts on the region. While
recognizing that trade and economic expansion is closely
inter-linked, the Leaders made a commitment to widen and deepen the
scope of regional networks of activities in trade and financial
matters.
- The Heads of State or Government noted with satisfaction the
outcomes of the successive meetings of the SAARC Commerce Ministers
aimed at enlarging the scope of cooperation in the core areas. They
recognised the importance of achieving a free trade area and
reaffirmed that the treaty regime for creating a free trade area
must incorporate, inter alia, binding timeframes for freeing trade,
measures to facilitate trade and provisions to ensure an equitable
distribution of benefits of trade to all states, especially for
small and least developed countries, including mechanisms for
compensation of revenue loss.
- Recognising the need to move quickly towards a South Asian Free
Trade Area, the Heads of State or Government directed the Council of
Ministers to finalize the text of the Draft Treaty Framework by the
end of 2002. They also directed that in moving towards the goal of
SAFTA, the Member States expedite action to remove tariff and
non-tariff barriers and structural impediments to free trade. They
also instructed to conclude the meeting of the Inter Governmental
Group on Trade Liberalization for the Fourth Round of Trade
Negotiations under SAPTA as early as possible as per the decision of
the Tenth SAARC Summit in Colombo.
- The Heads of State or Government renewed their commitment to
encourage the participation of the private sector and assured their
full support for their socially responsible economic initiatives.
While welcoming the practice of holding trade fairs in cooperation
with the private sector at the regional level, they appreciated the
efforts of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote
regional economic cooperation in the spirit of public and private
sector partnership.
- The Heads of State or Government also decided to instruct the
Secretary-General to facilitate the early finalization of a
regionally agreed investment framework to meet investment needs of
the SAARC Member States.
- The Heads of State or Government recognized the immense tourism
potential of South Asia and underlined the need to take measures to
promote South Asia as a common tourist destination through joint
efforts in areas such as upgrading of infrastructure, air linkages,
simplification and harmonization of administrative procedures and
training and joint marketing.
Poverty Alleviation
- The Heads of State or Government acknowledged that investment in
poverty alleviation programs contributes to social stability,
economic progress and overall prosperity. They were of the view that
widespread and debilitating poverty continued to be the most
formidable developmental challenge for the region. Conscious of the
magnitude of poverty in the region, and recalling also the decision
of the UN Millennium Summit 2000 to reduce world poverty in half by
2015, and also recalling the commitments made at the five year
review of the World Summit for Social Development to reduce poverty
through enhanced social mobilization, the Heads of State or
Government made a review of the SAARC activities aimed at poverty
alleviation and decided to reinvigorate them in the context of the
regional and global commitments to poverty reduction.
- The Heads of State or Government expressed their firm resolve to
combat the problem of poverty with a new sense of urgency by
actively promoting the synergetic partnership among national
governments, international agencies, the private sector, and the
civil society. They reaffirmed their pledge to undertake effective
and sustained poverty alleviation programs through pro-poor growth
strategies and social as well as other policy interventions with
specific sectoral targets. The Leaders also agreed to take immediate
steps for the effective implementation of the programs for social
mobilization and decentralization, and for strengthening institution
building and support mechanisms to ensure participation of the poor,
both as stake-holder and beneficiary, in governance and the
development process.
- The Heads of State or Government decided to undertake sustained
measures to extend rural micro-credit programs with focus on women
and the disadvantaged sections of society. They also stressed the
need for widening the opportunities for gainful employment. While
highlighting the importance of promoting agriculture, indigenous
skills and small scale and cottage industries to address the
incidence of rural poverty, they decided to enhance cooperation in
agricultural research, extension and adoption. They specifically
instructed that the Technical Committees should identify programmes
and activities that impact on poverty alleviation. They urged the
need to create gainful employment and promote cooperation in
vocational training.
- The Heads of State or Government emphasized the need to promote
sharing of the best practices and experiences among the Member
States and to this end, instructed the Secretary-General to
disseminate such information to the Member States on a regular
basis. They directed the Council of Ministers to review, on a
continuous basis, the regional poverty profile to be prepared by the
Secretary-General with the assistance of the related UN agencies,
nodal agencies and independent research institutions specialized in
the field.
- In order to ensure social stability and to protect the vulnerable
sections of population from the adverse impacts of globalisation and
liberalization, the Heads of State or Government stressed the need
to enhance cooperation to create and maintain appropriate safety
nets.
- The Heads of State or Government agreed that a Special Session on
poverty alleviation at the Ministerial level should undertake a
comprehensive review and evaluation of the status of implementation
of poverty eradication policies and programs carried out so far, and
to recommend further concrete measures to enhance effective
cooperation at the regional level to the Twelfth SAARC Summit. They
also directed the Council of Ministers to take necessary steps to
fully activate the existing three-tier mechanism for poverty
alleviation.
- The Leaders directed the Council of Ministers to coordinate
efforts to integrate poverty alleviation programs into the
development strategies of Member States. In this context, they
agreed to reconstitute the Independent South Asian Commission on
Poverty Alleviation, with Nepal as its Convener and Bangladesh as
Co-convenor, for reviewing the progress made in cooperation on
poverty alleviation and for suggesting appropriate and effective
measures. They instructed the Chairman of the Council of Ministers
to seek two nominations from each Member State by end of January
2002 to enable the convening of its first meeting before the
proposed Ministerial Meeting on Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan in
April 2002.
- Expressing concern at the region’s special vulnerability in
the slowdown in world economy and its negative impact on the poor
and the marginalized, the Heads of State or Government called for a
supportive international environment and an enhanced level of
assistance by the international community for poverty alleviation
programs in South Asia.
Cooperation in the Social and Cultural Sector
- The Heads of State or Government reiterated the need for an early
finalisation of the SAARC Social Charter and instructed the Inter
Governmental Expert Group to expedite their work on the basis of the
draft to be submitted by the Secretary-General, as a working paper
for its consideration and to complete the draft framework of the
Charter as early as possible for consideration at the next meeting
of the Council of Ministers. In drawing up the Charter, they also
directed the Council of Ministers to include the important areas of
poverty eradication, population stabilization, the empowerment of
women, youth mobilization, human resources development, the
promotion of health and nutrition and the protection of children as
decided at the Tenth Summit.
- The Leaders recognized the debilitating and widespread impact of
the HIV/ AIDS, TB and other deadly communicable diseases on the
population of South Asia and stressed the need for evolving a
regional strategy to combat these diseases. The strategy should
include, inter alia, culturally appropriate preventive measures, an
affordable treatment regime and should specially target the
vulnerable groups. In this regard, they felt that SAARC should
collaborate with the international organizations and civil society.
They also emphasized that the SAARC Tuberculosis Centre in Kathmandu
should play a coordinating role in the related areas.
- In accordance with the Colombo Declaration, the Heads of State or
Government decided to mandate the Meeting of Ministers of Cultural
Affairs in Sri Lanka to finalise the details relating to the
establishment of the SAARC Cultural Centre including its financing
and to submit its report to the next session of the Council of
Ministers
Women and Children
- The Heads of State or Government welcomed the signing of the
SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating the Trafficking in
Women and Children for Prostitution and expressed their collective
resolve to treat the trafficking in women and children for
commercial sexual exploitation as a criminal offence of a serious
nature. They also welcomed the signing of the SAARC Convention on
Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South
Asia and observed that the Convention reflected their commitment to
place the child first in the national and regional programs of the
Member States. They instructed the Secretary-General, in
consultation with Member States and other specialised agencies, to
present a report on measures for the effective implementation of the
Conventions to the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.
- The Heads of State or Government agreed to establish, on the
basis of recommendations of the Regional Task Force responsible for
the implementation of the provisions of the SAARC Convention on
Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for
Prostitution, a voluntary fund with contributions from Member
States, individuals, and donor countries and agencies for the
rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims of trafficking.
- The Leaders recognized the need to form an autonomous advocacy
group of prominent women personalities from the Member States with a
view to making recommendations to the SAARC bodies on a broad
spectrum of gender related issues. They directed the Council of
Ministers to take necessary steps to prepare and present, for
consideration at their next meeting, the Terms of Reference for the
purpose.
- The Heads of State or Government recognized the need to actively
pursue and promote social development through empowerment of women
and to achieve their full participation in decision making at all
levels. They reaffirmed their commitment to uplift the social status
of the people, women and children in particular, in the region and
expressed their common resolve to accord the highest priority to
promoting social development through specific and targeted programs.
The Leaders directed the Council of Ministers to take necessary
measures to ensure the enjoyment by women and girl children of their
inherent potential. They also directed the Council of Ministers to
constitute a Task Force to review the status of implementation of
past decisions related to the social sector and to suggest
guidelines for their effective implementation in the future.
- The Leaders directed the Council of Ministers to take concrete
steps to give priority to investing in children as an effective
means for poverty reduction in the long run. Reaffirming their
commitment to the Colombo Plan of Action and the Rawalpindi
Declaration and recalling the declaration of 2001 to 2010 as the
SAARC Decade of the Rights of the Child, the Heads of State or
Government noted with appreciation the South Asia High-level Meeting
on Children held in Kathmandu in May 2001. They reaffirmed their
conviction that the children in South Asia deserve urgent and
focused attention to enhance the long-term and overall progress of
the countries of the region.
- The Heads of State or Government agreed to mobilize the necessary
resources and intensify broad based actions to achieve a set of
priority goals related to improving the status of children, such as
polio eradication by 2005, protection of children from
mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, and quality basic
education to the children within a time-bound period.
Education
- The Heads of State or Government instructed the concerned
Ministries of Governments to devise appropriate strategies for
raising the quality of education through the exchange of information
among the universities in the region. While emphasizing the
importance of mutual recognition of the educational institutions,
they agreed to give the necessary impetus to realize the goal of a
common regional educational standard through uniform methods of
instruction and teaching aids. They were unanimous in recognizing
the benefit of introducing SAARC in the national curricula at
appropriate levels of study in order to enhance the awareness about
Association’s goals and objectives.
- The Heads of State or Government recognized that access to
quality education was an important element for the empowerment of
all segments of society, and undertook to develop or strengthen
national strategies and action plans to ensure that all children
particularly the girl child have access to quality primary education
by 2015; and to improve levels of adult literacy by fifty percent by
eliminating gender disparities in access to education as envisaged
in the Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All adopted by
the World Education Forum held at Dakar in April 2000.
International Political and Economic Environment
- The Heads of State or Government reiterated their firm support
for the principles and purposes of the United Nations in order to
create a just, balanced and equitable world order. They reaffirmed
their commitment to continue working with the NAM and other
like-minded countries for the reform and democratisation of the
United Nations System with a view to making it an effective and more
democratic institution for international peace, security, progress
and cooperation.
- 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 non-proliferation
goals could not be achieved in the absence of progress towards
nuclear disarmament and in this context called upon all nuclear
weapon states, whether party or non-party to the NPT, to engage
constructively through a transparent and credible process of
negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament. The Leaders also
recognized the linkage between disarmament and development.
- The Leaders emphasized the need to take appropriate measures to
make international financial institutions and the global trading
regime more responsive to the needs and concerns of the developing
countries. They reiterated the call for genuine partnership among
the developed and developing countries in international trade and
finance and for the reform of the global financial architecture with
an enhanced level of resources.
- The Leaders also called upon the developed countries to
facilitate and ensure an unimpeded and enhanced level of market
access to products from the developing, the least developed and the
land-locked countries.
- Recognizing the important role that trade can play in advancing
the overall development of a country, thus contributing to an
equitable and sustainable world order, the Heads of State or
Government also called for an early realization of a rule-based and
non-discriminatory world trade regime. In this context, they
appreciated the positive elements of the Fourth WTO Ministerial
Conference held in Doha and called upon the developed countries to
fulfill their commitments to address the particular concerns and
needs of the developing and the least developed countries. The
Leaders also instructed the forthcoming meeting of the Committee on
Economic Cooperation to devote at least half a day for discussions
on the evaluation of the decisions of the recently concluded Doha
conference in order to evolve better co-ored positions among the
Member States on all WTO issues. They further stressed the need to
intensify coordination among the SAARC missions in Geneva and begin
the necessary preparation to advance the common interest of the
region in the Fifth WTO Ministerial conference.
- The Heads of State or Government noted with serious concern the
adverse impact of the shrinking Official Development Assistance
(ODA) and other concessional financial flows on developing countries
in general, and the least developed among them in particular. They
further noted with concern the current trend of the global economic
slowdown and its adverse effects on these economies. Taking into
account the interdependent nature of the global economy, the Leaders
urged the developed countries to enhance the level of ODA flows to
meet the internationally agreed targets.
- Recalling the recommendations of the Third United Nations
Conference on the Least Developed Countries held in Brussels in May
2001 and the decisions of the Zanzibar Declaration of July 2001, the
Leaders urged the developed countries to adopt more liberal trade
and aid policies responsive to the particular needs of the least
developed countries. Referring to the forthcoming International
Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Mexico in
March 2002, the Leaders urged the international community to
strengthen cooperation for development by addressing international
and systemic issues related to financing for development in the
developing and the least developed countries in a holistic manner.
- The Heads of State or Government welcomed the initiative of the
donor countries to relieve the external debt burden of the Highly
Indebted Poor Countries. They urged the international donor
community and financial institutions to widen the scope and extent
of debt relief initiatives to cover all those developing and the
least developed countries, which are facing developmental
difficulties particularly due to the current global recession. In
the context of growing global interdependence, they underlined the
importance of forging cooperative partnership between the developed
and the developing countries to ensure equitable benefits to all.
- The Heads of State or Government expressed concern over the
continued violence and bloodshed in the Middle East, and the set
backs suffered by the peace process. They reaffirmed their support
for the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based
on Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) and Resolution 338 (1973)
and the establishment of a sovereign Palestine State under the
leadership of PLO, which could coexist with its neighbours in peace,
security and harmony.
Security of Small States
- 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, 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. This, they stressed, should be ensured
by all the countries, either severally or collectively through the
pursuit of appropriate action.
Terrorism
- 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 Twenty-first century.
- The Heads of State or Government emphasized the need for the
urgent conclusion of a Comprehensive Convention on Combating
International Terrorism. They also emphasized that international
co-operation to combat terrorism should be conducted in conformity
with the UN Charter, international law and relevant international
conventions.
- The Heads of State or Government reiterated their support to the
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 of September 28,
2001 and affirmed their determination to redouble efforts,
collectively as well as individually, to prevent and suppress
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including by
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 has 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 security related costs in particular.
- The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed their commitment to
SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, which, among
others, 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 of
SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk and the SAARC Drug Offences
Monitoring Desk in an effective manner.
Report of the Group of Eminent Persons
- The Leaders noted with appreciation that the Report of the Group
of Eminent Persons (GEP) was an important contribution in the
on-going process of introspection into the functioning of the
Association as well as in setting out a perspective plan of action
for that purpose. They endorsed the report of the Council of
Ministers on the implementation of the recommendations of the GEP
Report, and directed the Council of Ministers to undertake a review
of progress in this regard.
Enhancing Political Cooperation
- The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed their commitment to
the promotion of mutual trust and understanding and, recognizing
that the aims of promoting peace, stability and amity and
accelerated socio-economic cooperation may best be achieved by
fostering good neighbourly relations, relieving tensions and
building confidence, agreed that a process of informal consultations
would prove useful in this regard. The Leaders further recognized
that this process would contribute to the appreciation of each
other's problems and perceptions as well as for decisive action in
agreed areas of regional cooperation. They underlined the importance
of informal political consultations in promoting mutual
understanding and reinforcing the confidence building process among
the Member States.
Sub-regional Cooperation
- The Heads of State or Government reaffirmed the validity of the
idea of encouraging the development of specific projects relevant to
the individual needs of three or more Member States under the
provisions of Articles VII and X of the SAARC Charter.
South Asian Development Fund (SADF)
- The Heads of State or Government underlined the urgent need to
make the South Asian Development Fund operational by making
utilization of the existing funds. They also instructed the
Secretary-General to submit a proposal for seeking possible
assistance from regional and international sources for the
implementation of specific regional poverty alleviation priority
projects.
Environment
- The Heads of State or Government noted with satisfaction the
growing public awareness on the need for protecting the environment
within the framework of regional cooperation. They reiterated their
call for the early and effective implementation of the SAARC
Environment Plan of Action as endorsed by the SAARC Environment
Ministers. They directed their Environment Ministers to take this
into account and come up with an agreed position in their
forthcoming meeting.
- The Heads of State or Government also felt a strong need to
devise a mechanism for cooperation in the field of the early warning
on as well as preparedness and management of natural disasters,
along with programs to promote conservation of land and water
resources.
- The Heads of State or Government also stressed the need to
develop a cooperative mechanism for the protection, enrichment and
utilization of bio-diversity as provided for in the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity and to establish a regional bio-diversity
database with a view to providing equitable benefits to all Member
States. They also underscored the importance of protecting
associated knowledge and other indigenous intellectual
manifestations for the advancement of the region. They also directed
the Council of Ministers to explore the possibility of establishing
a SAARC Seed Security Reserve to strengthen cooperation in the field
of agriculture and to protect IPRs of the seeds of the Reserve.
People-to-People Contact
- The Heads of State or Government were unanimous in recognizing
the need for further promoting a sense of regional identity amongst
the peoples of the region. The Leaders lauded the roles played by
intellectuals, professionals and eminent persons in promoting
people-to-people contacts within the region and agreed to encourage
such endeavours as a healthy sign of regional cohesion and
fraternity. In this context, they took note of the activities of the
SAARCLAW including other recognized bodies. They also took note of
the First Meeting of the Chief Election Commissioners of SAARC
Countries held in Kathmandu in February 1999 and appreciated the
initiative on free and fair election. The Leaders instructed the
Secretary-General to collect on a regular basis study reports and
other relevant documents and information from the civil society on
matters relating to regional cooperation for dissemination to Member
States.
Rationalization and Institutional Issues
- The Heads of State or Government were in agreement that the
Summit and all other meetings of SAARC needed to be made more
business-like and result-oriented with focus on programs and
activities supported by informed regional inputs from the
cross-sections of the society. They directed the Chairman of the
Council of Ministers to undertake a review of the functioning and
operation of SAARC Secretariat, and to make recommendations to
advance the process of rationalisation and to make SAARC more
functional and business-like, to the next meeting of the Council of
Ministers.
SAARC Award
- The Heads of State or Government noted with appreciation the
proposal made by Nepal to institute a SAARC Award to honour the
outstanding work of individuals and organizations within the region
in the fields of peace, development, poverty alleviation and
regional cooperation, and requested His Majesty's Government of
Nepal to submit a concept paper for consideration by the next
session of the Council of Ministers.
Date and Venue of the Twelfth Summit
- The Heads of State or Government welcomed with appreciation the
offer of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to host
the Twelfth Summit Meeting of the Heads of State or Government of
the South Asian Association for the Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in
Pakistan in early 2003.
- The Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka expressed their deep appreciation
for the exemplary manner in which the Right Honourable Prime
Minister of Nepal conducted the proceedings of the Eleventh SAARC
Summit in his capacity as Chairperson. They also expressed their
deep gratitude for the generous hospitality extended to them by His
Majesty’s Government and people of Nepal, and for the excellent
arrangements made for the Summit.
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