CHAPTER-X

COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS-UNCTAD
-UNICEF
-APT
-ESCAP
-UNDP
-UNDCP
-EC
-ITU
-CIDA
-Designated SAARC Years
-SAARC Publications
-Organisational Framework of SAARC
-Structure of the SAARC Secretariat

1. UNCTAD
A Memorandum of Understanding on the Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS) was signed between SAARC and UNCTAD in February 1993. This was the first Agreement of cooperation to be signed by SAARC with an international organisation. Under this Agreement, since 1993, UNCTAD has been providing updated copies of its Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS) to the SAARC Secretariat on a regular basis. TRAINS, which is now available on CD-ROM, contains latest data on trade control measures prevailing in ninety-one developed and developing countries. Under the MOU, it is the responsibility of the SAARC Secretariat to update UNCTAD database on trade control measures in respect of the SAARC Member Countries and forward the same to UNCTAD Secretariat, Geneva on computer floppies for final incorporation in the forthcoming updated versions of TRAINS CD-ROM.

2. UNICEF
A Cooperation Agreement between SAARC and UNICEF, was signed in December 1993. The Agreement envisages cooperation in implementing the relevant SAARC decisions relating to Children through an annual agenda which include joint studies, exchange of documentation and monitoring of implementation.

In pursuance of the Cooperation Agreement, the SAARC Secretariat and UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia in Kathmandu hold regular consultations on all child related issues including the Annual Review of the Situation of Children in the SAARC Countries; and implementation of the decisions taken at the Ministerial Conferences on Children of South Asia held at the various SAARC capitals namely : New Delhi (1986), Colombo (1990) and Rawalpindi (1995).

SAARC and UNICEF have been at the forefront of efforts of the global community for the survival, protection and development of children.

3. APT
The SAARC-APT Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in February 1994 envisages cooperation between the two organisations to promote the growth of telecommunications in order to accelerate economic and social development in the region. SAARC and APT exchange information, publications and documents on their respective activities in this field. They will also exchange technical and operational details of plans for improvement of national, regional and international telecommunications network. Collaboration is also envisaged in planning and development of networks, transfer of technology, promoting international standards, development of human resources and application of telecommunications in sectors such as health, education, environment, transport, and tourism.

4. ESCAP
A Framework Agreement for cooperation between SAARC and Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was signed in February 1994. The Agreement provides for cooperation on development issues through joint studies, workshops and seminars and exchange of information and documentation in poverty alleviation, human resource development, trade promotion, foreign direct investment, environmental protection and prevention of drug trafficking, infrastructure development etc.

Since then, there has been regular interaction between the SAARC and ESCAP both bilaterally and under the aegis of the Consultative Meetings of the Executive Heads of Sub-regional Organisations in Asia and the Pacific and ESCAP.

5. UNDP
The SAARC-UNDP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in July 1995 and embodies a general agreement for broad- based collaboration with the aims and purposes of promoting sustainable human development for eradicating poverty , preservation and protection of environment, regeneration of natural resources, employment creation, and the goals of women in development; undertaking periodic consultation for joint activities; publishing studies on priority concerns and exchanging relevant reports.

Cooperation between SAARC and UNDP has been particularly close in the area of Poverty Eradication. UNDP has initiated programmes in specific locations in six member countries of SAARC to promote social mobilisation with a view to eradicating poverty under its programme RAS/96/600. UNDP and SAARC have been maintaining regular contacts on the implementation of these programmes. A UNDP Advisory Committee on its Poverty Eradication Programmes in South Asia was formed in 1996.

Recent SAARC-UNDP cooperation also covered issues relating to training of SAARC officials in specific disciplines and consideration of specific proposals for the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the SAARC Secretariat. UNDP arranged a specialised training for SAARC official in the important area of Media and Communication. SAARC and UNDP are also maintaining close contact on the possibility of further UNDP assistance to meet some of the important requirements of the SAARC Secretariat for greater professional and expert services in a number of specialised areas.

6. UNDCP
SAARC signed the MOU with UNDP in August 1995 to coordinate efforts in combating drug trafficking and drug abuse in the region. The Memorandum envisages mutual consultation and exchange of information between the two organisations, development and implementation of such activities as human resource development; improving regional cooperation on drug intelligence through the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk; legislation; financial investigation; money laundering; precursor control; and the establishment of a networking arrangement among existing institutions in drug abuse prevention etc.

A UNDCP-SAARC Workshop for policy makers of the member states on Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse was held in Colombo on 1996. The joint collaboration activities are under consideration.

7. EC
Since the conclusion of the MoU on Administrative Cooperation with the EC in July, 1996, the Secretariat has been in regular touch with the European Commission to concretise SAARC-EC cooperation through the implementation of specific projects/programmes. The MoU mainly focuses on exchange of information, institutional support and training, and technical assistance. The MoU envisages cooperation between the two organisations in the areas of staff training of SAARC Secretariat and SAARC institutions, technical assistance for institutions and institutional support to strengthen the capacities and effectiveness of SAARC Secretariat and SAARC institutions. The two organisations have identified specific areas where cooperation was feasible.

The South Asia Rinderpest Eradication Campaign Support Project (SAREC SP) proposed by EU is under consideration by the Member States.

The Foreign Ministers of SAARC Countries, during the period of the annual UNGA Session in New York would meet the Troika of EU to carry forward the process of consultation between the two organisations.

8. ITU
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SAARC and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) was signed in March 1997. Providing a framework agreement for ensuring closer cooperation and coordination of efforts between SAARC and ITU. The areas covered by the MOU include development of telecommunications and telematic services as well as improvement of the quality of voice and non-voice telecommunication services in the region. Member States of SAARC and ITU would jointly work towards improving the productivity and efficiency of the telecommunication organisations and networks in the region.

9. CIDA
SAARC and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in July, 1997 for promotion of cooperation and mutually beneficial relationships between the two organisations in the core areas of mutual concern, which, among others, include poverty eradication; economic and trade cooperation; social and human resource development; sustained economic growth; and sustainable development. For the purpose of cooperation in these areas, the Memorandum envisages establishment of an annual Programme of cooperation and regular interaction for coordination, exchange of information, and review of cooperation activities, between the two contracting parties. The Memorandum also intends to encourage cooperation between SAARC and CIDA through involvement of mutually agreed upon regional institutions and non-governmental organisations.

Specific proposals on cooperation under the SAARC-CIDA MOU are currently being worked out.

DESIGNATED SAARC YEARS

Since 1989, it has been the practice to designate SAARC Years to focus on specific themes of common concern to member states. Plans of Action both at the regional and national levels were implemented in the following years :

1989 - SAARC Year for Combating Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking
1990 - SAARC Year of Girl-Child
1991 - SAARC Year of Shelter
1992 - SAARC Year of Environment
1993 - SAARC Year of Disabled Persons
1994 - SAARC Year of the Youth
1995 - SAARC Year of Poverty Eradication
1996 - SAARC Year of Literacy
1997 - SAARC Year of Participatory Governance

In addition, 1991-2000 A.D. has been designated as the "SAARC Decade of the Girl-Child".

SAARC PUBLICATIONS

1. SAARC Summits (1985-1988) US$ 7.00
2. SAARC Summits (1990-1995) US$ 5.00

1. SAARC Study on Trade, Manufactures and Services US$ 3.00
2. Regional Study on the Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters and the Protection
and Preservation of Environment, US$ 5.00
3. Regional Study on Greenhouse Effect and Its Impact on the Region US$ 5.00
4. MEETING THE CHALLENGE - Report of the Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation US$ 3.00

1. FROM SARC TO SAARC : Milestones in the Evolution of Regional Cooperation in South Asia(1980-1988):Vol. I US$ 10.00
2. FROM SARC TO SAARC : Milestones in the Evolution of Regional Cooperation in South Asia(1983-1989):Vol. II US$ 5.00
3. SAARC Documents: Milestones in the Evolution of Regional Cooperation in South Asia(Dec.1988-Jul 991):Vol. III US$5.00
4. SAARC Documents: Milestones in the Evolution of Regional Cooperation in South Asia(Nov.1991-Apr.1993):Vol.IIIUS$5.00
5. SAARC Documents: Milestones in the Evolution of Regional Cooperation in South Asia(Nov.1993-May1995):Vol.VUS$5.00
6. SAARC Documents: Milestones in the Evolution of Regional Cooperation in South Asia(1995-July 1998):Vol.VI US$ 5.00

- SAARC and Women in Development (1986-1990) US$ 5.00.

SAARC - A PROFILE
First Published - June 1998
Revised - March 1999
Published by SAARC Secretariat (Information and Media Division)
P.O.Box 4222, Kathmandu, Nepal

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