The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE 15th SAARC summit adopted a 41-point Colombo Declaration with a call for collective efforts to face the challenges of energy security, climate change impacts and terrorism, and to facilitate trade and increase economic growth for the betterment of the population of the region. The leaders adopted a separate statement on food security. The heads of state and government signed four deals, which they hoped would be effective tools to address the issues collectively.

In the face of food shortage, increased prices internationally and food riots in some countries, food problem got special treatment at the summit. The leaders underscored the need for turning the region into a good granary to meet emergency challenges in future. Sharing the water of international rivers among the co-riparian countries is a must for enhancing food production. The decision of the 2007 SAARC Conference regarding establishment of a South Asian food bank could not be implemented due to failure of some member countries to make their commitments. The countries should be able to develop a strong buffer stock of food to meet emergency.

For implementing the hitherto dormant South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) the leaders expressed the need for removing the tariff barriers. They decided to revise the sensitive list of items. The SAARC countries must strive hard to adapt to changed climatic condition. The leaders emphasised the need for strong co-operation in fighting terrorism and trans-national organised crimes. Power shortage and energy crisis is a formidable obstacle to the development of the SAARC countries. The South Asian countries must join effort to solve the problem. Twenty-three years have passed since the launching of SAARC in 1985. The South Asian region, the abode of about one-fourth of the world population, should not continue to be deprived of the benefits of cooperation.