17th SAARC summit adopts ‘Addu Declaration’

The 17th SAARC summit ended on Friday with the adoption of a 20-point ‘Addu Declaration’ to forge effective cooperation among the member states in a host of areas including economy, connectivity, climate change and food security.

The Addu Declaration was adopted at the concluding session in presence of all heads of government and states of the eight member countries -- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In the declaration, the SAARC leaders agreed to direct the Safta ministerial council to intensify efforts to fully and effectively implement Safta and the work of reducing the sensitive lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting the process of harmonising standards and customs procedures.



They agreed to direct the SAARC finance ministers to chart a proposal that would allow for greater flow of financial and capital and intra-regional long-term investment.

The summiteers agreed to hold the twelfth SAARC Trade Fair along with SAARC Travel and Tourism Fair in the Maldives in 2012; and to develop modalities by involving the relevant private sector in promoting the region globally as ‘Destination South Asia’.

They agreed to conclude the regional Railways Agreement and to convene the Expert Group Meeting on the Motor Vehicles Agreement before the next session of the Council of Ministers; and to direct a demonstration run of a container train (Bangladesh-India-Nepal).

The summit agreed to direct the secretary general to ensure completion of the preparatory work on the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service, including the feasibility study, by the end of the 2012, in order to launch the service.

It agreed to ensure timely implementation of the Thimpu Statement on Climate Change.

The summit agreed to make available no less than 2 percent of the national income towards the respective countries’ renewable energy investments. It also agreed to dedicate more financial resources towards developing renewable energy in the respective countries.

The leaders agreed to direct the conclusion of the Inter-governmental Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation and the Study on the Regional Power Exchange Concept.

They agreed to resolve the operational issues related to the SAARC Food Bank by the next session of the Council of Ministers to ensure its effective functioning. (The Daily Star)