SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL CO-OPERATION

(SAARC) organization of South Asian nations, founded in 1985 and dedicated to economic, technological, social, and cultural development emphasizing collective self-reliance. Its seven founding members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Meetings of heads of state are usually scheduled annually; meetings of foreign secretaries, twice annually. Headquarters are in Kathmandu, Nepal. The 11 stated areas of cooperation are agriculture and forestry; health and population; meteorology; rural development; telecommunications; transport; science and technology; postal services; sports, arts, and culture; women in development; and drug trafficking and abuse. Other concerns, such as tourism and terrorism, however, have also been targeted. The charter stipulates that decisions are to be unanimous and that bilateral and contentious issues are to be avoided.