BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

15" SAARC SUMMIT: SAFTA, FOOD ¥ SECURITY AND ENERGY

Author: Ishtiaque Selim Mohammad Jasim Uddin

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2008v29n4a5

ABSTRACT

Over the last twenty-three years, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) offers the Heads of States of South Asia a platform to discuss and raise issues of common interests. The South Asian leaders, during the 15” summit of SAARC, attached importance to enhance cooperation in three core areas, namely, South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), food & security and ‘energy. With intra-SSAARC trade volume still remaining low; it becomes imperative for the South Asian states to progress in the area of trade through implementing SAFTA. ‘ Besides, against the backdrop of surging food and oil prices, security in food and energy sectors has become an issue of paramount importance for the SAARC countries. In view of these, the paper throws light on the status of SAFTA. It also puts emphasis on the decisions taken in the 15" summit vis-a-vis food security and energy. In the process, the paper mentions the challenges associated with SAFTA, food security and energy. The paper, in addition, assesses the latest summit in the light of these three key issues.