Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
SAARC Charter Day is observed annually on 8th December. This day marks the signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985 by the Leaders of SAARC Countries at the First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka.
SAARC embodies the desire of the peoples and governments of South Asia to work collectively to promote mutual understanding, good neighbourly relations and meaningful cooperation among the Member States. The main objectives of SAARC are to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural and technical and scientific fields on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other. This year the occasion is of special significance, as SAARC completes 25 years as a regional organisation.
The SAARC Charter Day will be observed with special commemorative events on 8 December, 2010. On this special occasion the National Assembly will adopt a Resolution on SAARC re-iterating Bhutan’s strong commitment towards SAARC and its seriousness in supporting a strong regional organisation which works for the upliftment of the lives of millions in South Asia.
Earlier in the morning, members of the SAARC community led by Hon. Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, Minister, Ministry of Works & Human Settlements will be lighting 1000 butter lamps at the Kuenray, Tashichhdzong on 8th December, 2010.
As the host of the Sixteenth SAARC Summit, Bhutan has added responsibility to raise public awareness of the work of the Association and further enhance the image of SAARC in the international community. Towards this, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister and Chair of SAARC will host a reception at the Convention Centre and release special commemorative stamps to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of SAARC.
The Secretary General of SAARC H.E. Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma has arrived in Thimphu to participate in the commemorative events of the SAARC Charter Day.
Department of SAARC & Regional Organisations
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thimphu.