The 36th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Charter Day was observed in Thimphu on 8th December. The day was observed with the offering of thousands of butter lamps at Dechenphodrang Lhakhang. Senior government officials, Ambassadors, heads of international organizations and implementing agencies of SDF funded projects were present during the celebration.
The SAARC Charter was adopted on 8th December 1985 by the SAARC Heads of State/Government during their first-ever Summit in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Charter recognises the region’s shared history and the determination of the Member States – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – to foster mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation for peace and prosperity. The objective of SAARC is to accelerate the process of social, economic and cultural development in the region.
During this year’s celebration, Finance Minister Namgay Tshering, who is also the SDF Governing Council Member, said, “Bhutan, as a founding member of SAARC and a country that deeply values its membership to the Association, we have always strived to participate and contribute to the SAARC process to the best of our abilities.” Lyonpo said that SAARC has seen substantial progress but there have also been a lot of challenges.
The SDF Board has recently approved funding of USD 7.75 M to support COVID-19 projects of the SAARC Member State Governments through their ministries of health.
Currently, SDF has about 100 approved projects in all SAARC Member States under its Social, Economic and Infrastructure funding windows with a total fund commitment of USD 165.41 M. These projects are expected to benefit thousands of people in the SAARC Member States.
