• EUROPEAN UNION
•  The European union is an Economic and Political Union of 27 member states which are located primarily in Europe.

• Initially it started as the European Economic Community (EEC) formed by six countries in the 1950s.
  
• Now EU has grown in size by the inclusion of more member states.
  
  
  EU -  ITS BEGINNING 
• European Coal and Steel Community (1945–1957)
  
  
  After World War II, moves to unite the Europeans resulted in the formation of European Coal and Steel Community  with an aim to centralise the control of the Coal and Steel industries of its member states, which was declared to be "a first step in the federation of Europe". The founding members of the Community were Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany.
   
• The Treaty Of Rome 1957
• In 1957, the six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, which extended the earlier cooperation within the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and created the European Economic Community, (EEC) establishing a Customs Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for cooperation in developing Nuclear Energy. The treaty came into force in 1958.
•  
• On 1 July 1967 a single set of institutions for the Three communities, which were collectively referred to as the European Communities was formed.
  
• In 1973 the Communities enlarged to include Denmark (including Greenland which later left the Community in 1985), Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Norway had negotiated to join at the same time but Norwegian voters rejected membership, and Norway remained outside. In 1979, the first direct, democratic elections to the European Parliament were held. Greece joined in 1981, and Spain and Portugal in1985,
  
  
   
• The Schengen Agreement led the way towards the creation of open borders without passport controls between most member states and some non-member state. In 1986, the European flag began to be used by the Community  and the Single European Act was signed.
  
  In 1990, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the former East Germany became part of the Community as part of a newly united Germany^.
• 
  The Maastricht Treaty;
  
  
• The EU has developed a single market through a standardised system of laws which apply to all member states.
  
• 
  The abolition of passport controls within the Schengen area. It ensures the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital.
  
• 
  
• It enacts legislation in justice and home affairs, and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development.
  
  
• Introduction of the Euro in 2002.
  
• 
  
• The European Union was formally established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force on 1 November 1993,and in 1995 Austria, Sweden, and Finland joined the newly established EU. In 2002, euro notes and coins replaced national currencies in 12 of the member states.
  
• 
  TO JOIN THE EU A COUNTRY MUST MEET THE COPENHAGEN CRITERIA.
  
• 
  
• These require a stable democracy that respects human rights and the rule of law;
   
• A functioning market economy capable of competition within the EU; 
   
• And the acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU law.
   
• STRUCTURE OF THE EU
  
• EU- PARLIAMENT,Strasbourg,FRANCE
  
• EU MILITARY
  
  
  
  • The European Union does not have one unified military.
    
  • Twenty-one EU members are members of NATO while the remaining member states follow policies of neutrality.
    
  • Together, the United Kingdom and France account for 45 % of Europe's defence budget, 50% of its military capacity and 70 % of all spending in military research and development.
    
• The European Commissions Humanitarian Aid Office(ECHO)
   
• Humanitarian aid is financed directly by the budget (70%) as part of the financial instruments for external action and also by the European Development Fund(30%)
  
• ECONOMY-Monetary Union
  
• The European Central Bank, Frankfurt
  
• 
  
• EURO- Its Implications
  
  • Easing travel of citizens and goods
    
  • Eliminating exchange rate problems
    
  • Providing price transparency
    
  • Creating a single financial market 
  • Price stability and low interest rates
    
  • Providing a currency used internationally
    
  • Political symbol of integration and stimulus
    
  •  Since its launch the euro has become the Second Reserve Currency in the world with a quarter of foreign exchanges reserves being in euro.
    
  
  
  
   

•                 TERRORISM
• What is Terrorism?
• It is an unlawful act of violence which intimidates governments or societies
• Its goal is to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives.
  
  
• Early History of Terrorism
  
• Suicidal martyrdom dates back to thousands of years in most societies and religions. 
• Terrorism against the enemy is often viewed as a religious act.
• The term "terrorism" was coined in the French Revolution's Reign of Terror (1793 – 1794). .
  
• This was the birth of Government-Sponsored Terrorism
  
• Goal of State terrorism was to eliminate opposition, consolidate power.
  
• 
  
• Modern History of Terrorism
  
• Anarchists were seen in the late 19^th century
  
• Individual terrorism
  
  • The use of selective terror against an individual in order to bring down a government, e.g. Lincoln"s assassination.
• • Terrorism became tool of communication, propaganda.
    
  • 
    
  • An act of terrorism could rapidly spread a message world wide, e.g. the Kennedy killing.
  •  
• Middle 20^th century, terrorism became a tool to end colonialism especially in Africa.
  
  
• The last 20 years of of the 20^th century brought religious based terrorism in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, East Timor and many other places.
• 
  
• Terrorism is Asymmetric Warfare
  
  
  • Asymmetric warfare is the use of apparently random/unpredictable violence by a weak military against a stronger military to gain advantage
     
  • The key of Asymmetric warfare is using unexpected, unconventional tactics in combat.
   
• Terrorism conclusions
  
• Terrorism is an ancient tactic.
  
• Terrorism is a mode of communication.
  
• Terrorism is a special type of violence.
  
• Terrorism is used in times of peace, conflicts and war.
  
• Terrorism is designed to make a point, through psychological means- fear.
  
• Terrorism is a political act.
  
• 
  
• Types of Terrorism
  
  
  
  • Domestic terrorism involves groups whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our government without foreign involvement. Oklahoma City is a primary example.
    
  • 
    
  • International terrorism involves groups whose terrorist activities are foreign-based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States. Sept. 11 is an example of International Terrorism.
    
  • 
    
• Methods of Terrorism
  
• Nuclear Weapon 
• Biological Agents
• Chemical Agents
• Explosive and Incendiary Devices.
  
• 
  
• Nuclear Terrorism
  
  • Spreading of radioactive materials through ventilation system or explosion
  • Disable nuclear reactor cooling system and cause leakage of radioactive materials
  • Detonate a nuclear weapon.
    
  • 
    
• Biological terrorism
  
• Dispersal of microbes or their toxins to produce illness, death and terror
  
• The paths of infection can be contaminated water, food, air and packages.
  
• Microbes
  
  • Bacteria
    
  • Viruses
    
  • Toxins
    
• Is this something new?
  
• 14th Century – Kaffa
  
  • City on Crimean Peninsula 
• Hurled plague infested corpses over walls of city to infest it
  
• Is this something new?
  
  18^th Century French and Indian War
  
  • British Officers gave blankets from smallpox victims to Indians aligned with French
  • Caused an epidemic in tribes
  • Effective means of incapacitating group
    
• Methods of Bioterrorism
  
• 
  
• Chemical Agents
  
• Chemical agents kill or incapacitate people, destroy livestock or ravage crops. 
• Some agents are odorless and tasteless.
• They can have an immediate or a delayed effect.
  
• Example of Chemical Terrorism
  
• Sarin nerve agent attacked the Tokyo subway system in March 20, 1995.
  

• Sarin gas attack on March 20, 1995 in the Tokyo subway: Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth) cult deposited two containers containing Sarin poison gas in the Tokyo subway system.
  
  • 12 killed and up to 5000 hospitalized
    
  • Could have been much worse…air circulation evacuated most of the gas 
  • Why did terrorism draw considerable attention in 2001?
    
  • No evidence that terrorism is increasing
    
  • The risk of dying from terrorism was extremely low in 1990's, and was still relatively low compared with some diseases in 2001
    
  • But the risk increased by 500 times in 2001 due to Sept. 11
    
  • Overall the risk of terrorism has not been high
    
  • Despite the low risk, shock, surprise and fear engulfed our country and world
  • 
    
  • Conclusion
    
  • Terrorism is an unlawful act
    
  • Terrorism has a long history of being used to achieve political, religious and ideological objectives
    
  • Terrorism can be conducted through nuclear, biological, chemical agents and explosive devices
    
  • The risk of dying from terrorism is much lower than that from motor vehicles, smoking, and alcoholic beverage.

GLOBALIZATION 

• 'Globalization' is a favourite catchphrase of journalists and politicians
  
• Globalization' is commonly used as a shorthand way of describing the spread and connectedness of production, communication and technologies across the world. '
  
• WHAT IS GLOBALIZATION? 
  Globalization has powerful economic, political, cultural and social dimensions.
  
  Globalization involves the diffusion of ideas, practices and technologies.
  
• 
  
• EXAMPLE OF GLOBALIZATION
  
• If you look at the tag on your shirt, chances are you would see that it was made in a country other than the one in which you sit right now.
  
• 
  
• Before it reached your wardrobe, this shirt could have very well been made with Chinese cotton sewed by Thai hands, shipped across the Pacific on a French freighter crewed by Spaniards to a Los Angeles harbour. This international exchange is just one example of globalization, a process that has everything to do with geography.
   
• Improved Technology in Transportation and Telecommunications
  
  The ever-increasing capacity and efficiency of people and things to move and communicate. In years past, people across the globe did not have the ability to communicate and could not interact without difficulty. Nowadays, a phone, instant message, fax, or video conference call can easily be used to connect people. Additionally, anyone with the funds can book a plane flight and show up half way across the world in a matter of hours. In short, the "friction of distance" is lessened, and the world begins to metaphorically shrink
   
• Integration of Economies
  
• The increasing reliance of economies on each other
  
• The opportunities to be able to buy and sell in any country in the world
  
• The opportunities for labour and capital to locate anywhere in the world
  
• The growth of global markets in finance
  
• Integration of Economies is made possible by:
  
  • Technology
    
  • Communication networks
    
  • Internet access
    
  • Growth of economic cooperation – trading blocs (EU, NAFTA, etc.)
    
  • Collapse of 'communism'
    
  • Movement to free trade
    
• Benefits of Trade:
  
  • Increased choice
    
  • Greater potential for growth
    
  • Increase international economies of scale
    
  • Greater employment opportunities
   
• Disadvantages of trade:
  
  • Increase in gap between the rich and the poor
    
  • Dominance of global trade by the rich, northern hemisphere countries
    
  • Lack of opportunities for the poor to be able to have access to markets
    
  • Exploitation of workers and growers
    
•           Corporate Expansion
  
•           Multi-national or trans-national corporations (MNCs or TNCs) – businesses        within one country but with business operations in a number of others.
• Characteristics:
  
  • Expanding revenue
    
  • Lowering costs
    
  • Sourcing raw materials
    
  • Controlling key supplies
    
  • Control of processing
    
  • Global economies
    of scale
    
• Corporate Domination
  
• Key Issues:
  
  • Damage to the environment?
    
  • Exploitation of labour?
    
  • Monopoly power
    
  • Economic degradation
    
  • Non-renewable resources
    
  • Damage to culture.
   
•         Other Issues:
  
•       Accountability of Global businesses?
  
•      Increased gap between rich and poor fuels potential terrorist reaction
  
•      Ethical responsibility of business?
  
•      Efforts to remove trade barriers.
  
• 
  
•      Is Globalization a Good Thing?
  
• At its core globalization is an easing of borders, making them less important as countries become dependent on each other to thrive.
  
•  Let's look at the positives and negatives of globalization, and you can decide for yourself whether or not it is the best thing for our world.
   
• Positive Aspects of Globalization
  
• As more money is poured in to developing countries, there is a greater chance for the people in those countries to economically succeed and increase their standard of living.
  
• Global competition encourages creativity and innovation and keeps prices for commodities/services in check.
  
• Developing countries are able to reap the benefits of current technology without undergoing many of the growing pains associated with development of these technologies.
   
• Governments are able to better work together towards common goals now that there is an advantage in cooperation, an improved ability to interact and coordinate, and a global awareness of issues.
  
• There is a greater access to foreign culture in the form of movies, music, food, clothing, and more. In short, the world has more choices.
  
• 
  
• Negative Aspects of Globalization
  
• 
  
• There is little international regulation, an unfortunate fact that could have dire consequences for the safety of people and the environment.
  
• Large Western-driven organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank make it easy for a developing country to obtain a loan. However, a Western-focus is often applied to a non-Western situation, resulting in failed progress.
   
• Outsourcing, while it provides jobs to a population in one country, takes away those jobs from another country, leaving many without opportunities.
  
• Although different cultures from around the world are able to interact, they begin to meld, and the contours and individuality of each begin to fade.
  
• There may be a greater chance of disease spreading worldwide, as well as invasive species that could prove devastating in non-native ecosystems.
  
  
   

• ASEAN
  ASSOCIATION of SOUTH EAST Asian NATIONS
    
• ASEAN-MEMBERS-SINGAPORE,MALAYSIA,VIETNAM,BURMA,BRUNEI, PHILIPPINES,THAILAND,INDONESIA,LAOS, CAMBODIA.     
• ASEAN HEADQUARTERS,JAKARTA
  
• About ASEAN
  
• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a geo-political and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia.
  
• Formed on 8August1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since Now the membership has expanded to include Brunei,Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. 
•  If ASEAN were a single country, it would rank as the 9th largest economy in the world and the 3rd largest in Asia.
  
  
  
• The motivations for the birth of ASEAN
  
• Its members could concentrate on nation building,
  
• It was because of the common fear of communism,
  
• Desire for economic development in the region. 

The ASEAN way can be traced back to the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

 

Fundamental principles adopted from this included:

 

Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations;

 

The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion;

 

Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;

Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;

 

Renunciation of the threat or use of force; and

Effective cooperation among themselves".

• Aims of ASEAN
  
• Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members,
  
• The protection of the peace and stability of the region,
  
• To provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully
  
• ASEAN Charter
  
• On 15 December 2008 the members of ASEAN met in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to launch a charter, signed with the aim of moving closer to "an EU-style community".
  
•  The charter aims to create a single free-trade area for the region encompassing 500 million people.
  
• Upholding the United Nations Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law.
  
• The fundamental principles include,
  
• a) respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Member States;
  
• b) shared commitment and collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security and prosperity; 
• c) renunciation of aggression and of the threat or use of force or other actions in any manner inconsistent with international law;
  
• d) reliance on peaceful settlement of disputes
  
• e) non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member States;
  
• f) respect for the right of every Member State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion and coercion;
  
• g) enhanced consultations on matters seriously affecting the common interest of ASEAN;
  
• h) adherence to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government;
  
• i) respect for fundamental freedoms, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the promotion of social justice;
  
  
  
• ROLE OF ASEAN
  
• During the 1990s, the bloc experienced an increase in membership.
• In 1990, Malaysia proposed the creation of an East Asia Economic Caucus composing the then-members of ASEAN as well as the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea, with the intention of counterbalancing the growing influence of the United States in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as well as in the Asian region as a whole.
  
  
  
•  This proposal failed, because of heavy opposition from the United States and Japan. Despite this failure, member states continued to work for further integration and ASEAN Plus Three was created in 1997.
  
  
  
• On 15 December 1995, the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty was signed with the intention of turning Southeast Asia into a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The treaty took effect on 28 March 1997. It became fully effective on 21 June 2001, effectively banning all nuclear weapons in the region
  
• In 2006, ASEAN was given observer status at the United Nations General Assembly. As a response, the organisation awarded the status of "dialogue partner" of the United Nations.
  
  
  
• On 26 August 2007, ASEAN stated that it aims to complete all its free trade agreements with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand by 2013, in line with the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. 

• NAM- NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT.
  
• 
  
• ORIGIN
  
• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) is made up of 118 developing countries and aims to represent the political, economic and cultural interests of the developing world.
  
• The NAM traces its origin to a meeting in 1955 of 29 Asian and African countries at which heads of state discussed common concerns, including colonialism and the influence of the West.
  
• A significant milestone in the development of the Non-Aligned Movement was the 1955 Bandung Conference, a conference of Asian and African states hosted by Indonesian president Sukarno.
  
• The attending nations declared their desire not to become involved in the Cold War and adopted a "declaration on promotion of world peace and cooperation", which included Nehru's five principles
  
•  Six years after Bandung, an initiative of Yugoslav president Tito led to the first official Non-Aligned Movement Summit, which was held in September 1961 in Belgrade.
  
• NAM member countries represent many shades of political opinion.
  
• 
  
• "INITIATIVE OF FIVE"
  
• The organization was founded in Belgrade in 1961.
  
  It is the brainchild of
  
•  Yugoslavia's President,  Tito
  
• India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru,
  
• Egypt's second President, Gamal Abdel Nasser
  
• Indonesia's first President, Sukarno.
  
• Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.
  
• Their actions were known as 'The Initiative of Five'.
• All five leaders were prominent advocates of a middle course for states in the Developing World between the Western and Eastern blocs in the Cold War.
• 
  
• PURPOSE OF NAM
  
• The purpose of the organisation as stated in the Havana Declaration of 1979 is to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries"
  
• In their "struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, as well as against great power  politics."
  
•  They represent nearly two-thirds of the United Nations's members
  
• And 55% of the world population, particularly countries considered to be developing or part of the Third World 

• NAM - STRUCTURE
  
• The NAM does not have a constitution or a permanent secretariat. Its highest decision-making body is the Conference of Heads of States or Government, which usually meets once every three years. At this time the post of NAM chair is passed to the host country of the summit.
  
• South Africa's Thabo Mbeki has called on the NAM to take a bolder stance
   
• The NAM chair takes on the administrative burden of running the movement. Because much of the NAM's work is undertaken at the United Nations in New York.
  
• The NAM's Co-ordinating Bureau, also based at the UN, is the main instrument for directing the work of NAM task forces, committees and working groups.
  
• AIMS OF LUSAKA CONFERENCE-1970
  
• The peaceful resolution of disputes
  
• Abstention from the big power military alliances and pacts.
  
• Opposition to stationing of military bases in foreign countries.
  
  
  At the seventh summit held in New Delhi in March 1983, the movement described itself as "history's biggest peace movement".
  
• The movement places equal emphasis on disarmament.
  
•  The Non-Aligned Movement has become a voice of support for issues facing developing nations.
  
• The movement has become a stronger voice for the global South .
  
• The movement's leaders have also criticised the American control over the United Nations and other international issues.
  
• The Non-Aligned Movement has been quite outspoken in its criticism of current UN structures and power dynamics
  
• The Non-Aligned Movement has identified economic underdevelopment, poverty, and social injustices as growing threats to peace and security .
  
  
  
  NAM- ITS RELEVANCE.
  
  After the breakup of Yugoslavia, a founding member, its membership was suspended in 1992.
  
  In 2004, Malta and Cyprus withdrew from NAM  and joined the European Union. Belarus remains the sole member of the Movement in Europe.
  
• 
  
• The NAM's relevance after the collapse of the Soviet Union has been questioned, with some  saying the organisation has outlived its usefulness.
  
• 
  
• In 2003, Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa - the NAM chair country at the time - warned that the movement's future depended on its response to global challenges. He called on the NAM to take stronger resolutions on issues of concern.
  
• With its diverse membership, consensus-building is no easy task in the NAM. Some members, including India and Pakistan, have been at loggerheads for years. 

• SAARC
  
• South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
   
• ORIGIN
  
• 
  
• The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an organization of South Asian nations, founded in December, 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.
   
•  Afghanistan joined the organization in 2007.
   
• Meetings of heads of state are usually scheduled annually; meetings of foreign secretaries, twice annually.
   
• Headquarter in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  
• 
  
• SAARC - OBJECTIVES
  
• 
  
• to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life;
  
• to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential;
  
• 
  
• to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia;
  
• 
  
• to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems;
• 
  
• to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;
  
• 
  
• to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;
  
• 
  
• to strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interest; and
  
• 
  
• to cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes
• .
  
• STRUCTURE -
• 
  
• THE SECRETARIAT
  
• 
  
• The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1986 and was inaugurated by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal.
  
• It is headed by a Secretary General appointed by the Council of Ministers from Member Countries in alphabetical order for a three-year term.
  
•  The Secretariat coordinates and monitors implementation of activities, prepares for meetings, and serves as a channel of communication between the Association and its Member States as well as other regional organizations.
  
• The SAARC Secretariat and Member States observe 8 December as the SAARC Charter Day. 
•  
• VARIOUS SAARC SUMMITS
  
• 
  
• FIRST SUMMIT - 1985
  
• 
  
• The first summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  
• Established study groups on the problems of terrorism and drug trafficking, and increasing the participation of women at the regional level.
  
• Adopted an official SAARC emblem. 
   
• Second summit - 1986
  
• The second summit was held in Bangalore on 16–17 November 1986.
  
•  It was announced that the secretariat would be established on 16 January 1987, with Abul Ahsan as the first Secretary-General.
  
•  The summit also agreed to establish a SAARC Documentation Centre, a voluntary programme and to promote the creation of SAARC scholarships, fellowships and chairs.
  
• 
  
• Third summit - 1987
  
  
• The third summit was held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  
•  The foreign ministers of the member states signed the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and an agreement to establish a South Asian Food Reserve.
   
   
• Fourth summit - 1988
  
• The fourth summit was held in Islamabad, Pakistan.
  
  Declared 1989 to be the "SAARC Year Against Drug Abuse",
  
• Declared 1990 to be the "SAARC Year of the Girl Child", set up a technical committee on education,
  
• Launched a regional plan called "SAARC-2000-A Basic Needs Perspective" in areas such as food, shelter, education and environmental protection.
  
• It was also agreed to hold regular "South Asian Festivals", the first being hosted by India.
  
  
  
• Fifth summit - 1990
  
• The fifth summit was held in Malé, Maldives
  
• Declared various SAARC years (1991-2000 AD) to be the "SAARC Decade of the Girl Child",
  
• 1991 to be the "SAARC Year of Shelter",
  
• 1992 to be the "SAARC Year of the Environment"
  
• 1993 to be the "SAARC Year of Disabled Persons",
  
• Decided to set up the SAARC Tuberculosis Centre in Nepal and the SAARC Documentation Centre in India.
  
• 
  
• Fourteenth summit 2007
  
  
• The fourteenth summit of SAARC was held in New Delhi, on 3rd-4 April 2007.
  
   
• The fifteenth summit of SAARC was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 1–3 August 2008. At the summit, one of the major points of discussion was the global food crisis.
  
• 
  
• Sixteenth summit - 2010
  
  
• The sixteenth summit was held in Thimpu, Bhutan . Bhutan hosted the SAARC summit for the first time. This marked the silver jubilee celebration of SAARC that was formed in Bangladesh in December 1985.
  
• Climate change was the central issue of the summit with summit's theme "Towards a Green and Happy South Asia".
  
• SAARC leaders signed a SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment to tackle the problem of climate change
   
• The SAARC nations also pledged to plant 10 million trees over the next 5 years.
   
• India proposed setting up of climate innovation centres in South Asia to develop sustainable energy technologies.
   
• India announced "India endowment for climate change" in South Asia to help member states meet their urgent adaption and capacity building needs posed by the climate change.
  
• 
  
• SAARC – TRADE AGREEMENT
  
• 
  
• The Agreement on SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement
   
• (SAPTA) was signed in 1993 and four rounds of trade negotiations have been concluded.
  
  
   
• With the objective of moving towards a South
  
  Asian Economic Union (SAEU), the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) was signed during the Twelfth Summit in Islamabad in January 2004, and became effective in 2006.
  
• 
  
• SAARC - ITS  RELEVANCE
  
• 
  
• However, it is true that most of the programmes and
  
  achievements of SAARC exist on paper. The much talked about SAARC
  Food Security Reserve could not be utilized to meet the needs of
   Bangladesh during its worst natural disaster in 1991.
   
• It is also true that most SAARC activities are confined to the holding of seminars, workshops, and short training programmes. 
   
• SAARC suffers from an acute resource crunch. Unless the organization is
  
  successful in mobilizing funds and technical know-how from outside
  sources, most of its projects cannot be implemented and, thus, its relevance will remain limited.
   
• Though the formation of SAARC is a landmark step taken by the leaders of the region, they are unable to cultivate sustainable peace and promote mutual economic well-being.
  
  
  
• The political tensions and conflicts surrounding the countries of a South Asia pose a question of uncertainty and challenge to the formation of South Asian Union at par with European Union that would allow free movement of people; common currency and common foreign and economic policies
   
• In order to achieve the objectives the SAARC
  
  would have to evolve into a full-fledged 'regional entity' that can cultivate peace in the region. The realization of durable peace and the future economic integration of SAARC depends upon the ability and interest of South Asian leaders to resolve domestic as well as long-standing differences through peaceful deliberations.
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