19 February 2014, Maldives; The Fortieth Session of the Standing Committee is scheduled to continue its work today, following an early commencement of the session yesterday at Bandos Island Resort.
The Fortieth Session was initiated ahead of schedule, pursuant to a successful early conclusion of the Sixth Special Session of the Standing Committee, yesterday.
As part of its core program, the Standing Committee will consider various submissions by its supporting bodies, encompassing an array of pertinent issues facing the region today. Areas to be considered in this regard includes; economic and financial cooperation; poverty alleviation; transport; agriculture, rural development and food security, environment, climate change and natural disasters, biotechnology, social development, health and population, narcotic drugs, terrorism and legal matters; and education.
During yesterday's afternoon session, the Standing Committee reviewed the comprehensive study on SAARC Mechanisms. The Standing Committee, is also set to review the Periodic Analytical Report by the Secretary General; progress made on implementation of decisions of the Thirty Ninth Session of Standing Committee; progress reports submitted by the Programming Committee; and reports by the Secretariat's Committee on various studies conducted to strengthen the SAARC's mechanisms. The report on the Fortieth Session is to be adopted at its conclusion.
The Standing Committee comprises of the Foreign Secretaries of the SAARC Member States. As provided under the SAARC Charter, the Standing Committee has a broad mandate to make decisions towards the development of the SAARC and itsMember Statesincluding, coordination of program of cooperation; approval of projects and programs; mobilization of regional and external resources; and identification of new areas of cooperation.
ENDS.