Thaindian News

By Sarwar Kashani
Thimphu, April 28 (IANS) Heads of eight SAARC countries, representing a fourth of the human race and living in one of the world’s most conflict-prone regions overshadowed by India’s emerging powerhouse, began a two-day summit Wednesday to seek a joint initiative to tackle climate change threats and boost trade and regional cooperation among their South Asian nations.

Colourfully dressed men and women dancers welcomed the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) along the road to Tashicho Dzong, the main secretariat building, that houses the National Assembly Hall, the office of the king and the throne room. It is the venue of the summit that is being held in this environmentally-conscious country for the first time with the motto of “Towards a Green and Happy South Asia”.

The road was decorated with national flags of Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan - the eight SAARC countries.

The leaders attending the summit are besides Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lanka President Mahenda Rajapaksa, Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed and Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley.

Seeking a fresh approach to global climate talks the SAARC leaders will pitch for observer status to the bloc at the Mexico conference on global warming later this year. This will enable the eight South Asian nations to expressive their concerns collectively and effectively, an Indian official told IANS.

The next global climate talks after Copenhagen in September last are likely to be held in Cancun in Mexico in December.

The Thimphu summit also marks the silver jubilee celebration of SAARC that was formed in Bangladesh in December 1985 with the aim of eradicating poverty and improving the living standard of 1.5 billion people of the region through mutual cooperation.

Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna hoped that the dialogue on climate change would be carried in a “meaningful manner” at the summit.

A pact on climate will help in exchanging practices and knowledge, capacity building and transfer of eco-friendly technology in areas like coastal zone management, wildlife conservation and environmental impact assessment studies.

The eight nations are also expected to sign an agreement to promote trade cooperation among the member countries. The pact will enhance collaboration in services like health, hospitality, communications, information technology and air traffic and enable the realisation of the region’s immense potential in these services.

Another highlight of the summit is the inauguration of the Permanent Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) with initial capital of $ 300 million to support the socio-economic projects in the region.