It is a great honour and pleasure to extend best wishes to all our brothers and sisters in South Asia on the occasion of the 22nd SAARC Charter Day. The birth of SAARC on December 8, 1985 marks an epoch-making event in the history of the South Asia Region. We in South Asia had a very rich past in terms of unique heritage and civilization. And through SAARC, we are trying to create an economically prosperous, peaceful and stable South Asia for the future. We must take pride that our region covers the most diverse terrains, from the level of the sea to the highest mountain range on earth, and is home to more than one fifth of the humanity of the world. We have so many shared values, beliefs and aspirations that bind us in unison.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the largest regional cooperation group in the world. Our potentials are indeed enormous. We do harbour a lot of complementarities and prospects for development, which we are endeavoring to harness for the benefits of the people in South Asia. The Charter of SAARC puts our people at the center-stage of development in its goals and objectives. The noble objectives, aims and principles enshrined in the Charter function as a perennial source of inspiration for us to provoke thoughts and spur into action. It stipulates a worthwhile vision and mission, the realization of which can transform the developmental landscape of South Asia and the quality of life of our people.
Over the last two decades of its existence, the process of SAARC has evolved progressively, encompassing several areas of cooperation, collaboration, joint initiatives and pledges. It has created very positive environment to make accelerated progress in fulfilling the Charter objectives of promoting the welfare of the peoples, enhancing economic growth, social progress, cultural development and strengthening collective self-reliance among the South Asian countries. Yet much remains to be done to get the results of our efforts. Poverty is still a debilitating problem in South Asia and needs to be addressed with urgent attention. Unless and until we accelerate cooperation in the core economic areas of trade and investment, we fall far short of realizing the Charter objectives. The institutions, processes and instruments such as Independent South Asia Commission for Poverty Alleviation, SAARC Poverty Alleviation Fund, SAARC Development Fund, SAFTA, etc., we have created for cooperation, need to be made effective and their provisions implemented properly.
Though we are still short of tangible achievements, SAARC has kindled the South Asian spirit for a positive thrust. Countries and region which are economically much more advanced than South Asia have increasing interests in developing constructive linkages and cooperation with SAARC. This is clearly an indication of increased importance of SAARC as a socio-economic community on the global stage. This outward visibility and linkage of SAARC would be enhanced when we pursue serious result-oriented efforts and translate our commitments into actions. In an age of globalization and interdependence, SAARC has to prepare itself to face the challenges and opportunities being generated from within the region and outside. We need to direct our political will to speed up the engine of SAARC.
Through SAARC we have made promises to our people, who are real strengths. It is their right to live in dignity and realize their full potentials. With two decades of sincere efforts, we have carved courses for multi-sectoral development of the region. The Charter of SAARC is constantly reminding us of the lofty vision we have set for progressive transformation of our region. I strongly feel that our endeavours in this direction should continue until we achieve the ultimate goals of forging a South Asian Economic Community. We commemorate the Charter Day to reassert our faith and commitment to the cause of SAARC.