December 8, 1985: SAARC is established through the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
SAARC’s founding members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The primary objective of SAARC is to promote economic, social, and cultural cooperation among member states.
1987: SAARC conducts its first official summit in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The organization establishes specialized bodies, including the South Asian Development Fund and the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
1991: The SAARC Secretariat is established in Kathmandu to serve as the administrative hub of the organization.
SAARC conducts regular summits and ministerial meetings to discuss and coordinate regional cooperation efforts.
1993: SAARC expands its membership by admitting Afghanistan as its eighth member.
SAARC establishes the South Asian University, with its headquarters in New Delhi, India, to promote higher education and research cooperation among member states.
1995: The first SAARC Summit on Terrorism is held in Male, Maldives, addressing the need for collective action against terrorism.
SAARC focuses on enhancing regional connectivity through initiatives like the SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement and the SAARC Railway Agreement.
1997: The Thimphu Statement is adopted, affirming the commitment of SAARC member states to peace, stability, and economic cooperation in the region.
SAARC establishes technical committees and task forces to address specific sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and tourism.
2004: The SAARC Social Charter is adopted, emphasizing the importance of social development, poverty alleviation, and human rights in the region.
SAARC promotes cultural exchanges through initiatives like the SAARC Cultural Centre and the SAARC Film Festival.
2005: SAARC establishes the South Asia Foundation to promote regional cooperation in the fields of education, culture, and development.
SAARC conducts disaster management exercises and promotes regional cooperation in disaster response and mitigation.
2007: The SAARC Development Goals are adopted, outlining the region’s targets in various areas of development.
SAARC establishes the South Asia Forum for Infrastructure Regulation to promote cooperation in energy, transport, and telecommunications sectors.
2008: The SAARC Food Bank Agreement is signed to address food security challenges in the region.
SAARC conducts joint military exercises and promotes defense cooperation among member states.
2010: The SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism is signed, strengthening regional cooperation in countering terrorism.
SAARC engages in dialogue with observers and dialogue partners, including China, Japan, the United States, and the European Union.
2014: The eighteenth SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, is postponed indefinitely due to tensions between India and Pakistan.
SAARC focuses on promoting regional trade and economic integration through initiatives like SAFTA and the SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services.
The SAARC Energy Centre is established to promote regional energy cooperation, including the development of renewable energy sources.
2014: The SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation is signed, aiming to enhance cooperation in the energy sector among member states.
SAARC conducts joint efforts to address transnational challenges, including climate change, poverty, and public health issues.
2016: The eighteenth SAARC Summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad, is canceled after several member states withdraw citing security concerns.
SAARC promotes people-to-people exchanges through initiatives like the SAARC Youth Award and the SAARC Literature Festival.
The organization focuses on women empowerment, gender equality, and women’s rights through the SAARC Gender Policy and other initiatives.
SAARC conducts seminars, workshops, and training programs to enhance technical cooperation and capacity-building among member states.
2018: The South Asian Satellite, a communication and broadcasting satellite launched by India, is dedicated to the region and offers various services to SAARC member states.
SAARC engages in dialogue and cooperation on environmental issues, including the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development.
The organization supports initiatives to promote tourism within the region, including joint marketing campaigns and visa facilitation measures.
SAARC promotes cooperation in the field of agriculture, including the sharing of best practices, research, and technology transfer.
The COVID-19 pandemic affects SAARC member states, and the organization conducts virtual meetings to discuss and coordinate the regional response to the crisis.
SAARC explores opportunities for collaboration in the fields of science, technology, and innovation to foster development and progress in the region.
The organization addresses regional security challenges through initiatives like the SAARC Regional Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
SAARC continues to strive for enhanced regional cooperation and integration, focusing on the shared interests and aspirations of member states.
