Set aside differences for progress of SAARC region: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stressed the need for SAARC-member nations to set aside differences and work for the progress of the region’s people.

Sumon Mahbub from Kathmandubdnews24.com
Published : 26 Nov 2014, 05:26 AM
Updated : 26 Nov 2014, 05:10 PM

"Looking back, one would have the impression that its (SAARC) achievement have been rather modest compared to our expectations and potentials," she told the inaugural session of the 18th SAARC Summit on Wednesday in Kathmandu.

"Yet, I remain optimistic about what SAARC can actually attain, given our collective political will and ambitions," added Hasina.

According to her, a "candid assessment and frank discussions" among member states is essential to add dynamism to SAARC.

In her speech, Hasina called upon the member states to go for more realistic, result-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership for cooperation to prosper together.

She emphasised redeeming the pledges towards peoples in the region for a more peaceful, progressive, connected and knowledge-based South Asia.

The SAARC nations need to deepen collective efforts to develop, use and apply science-technology innovations at all levels to achieve faster development faster, Hasina said.

She underscored the need for increased cooperation in areas like health, agriculture, food and climate-change technologies.

Speaking on regional connectivity, the prime minister said it was an important factor to ensure overall peace progress and stability across the region.

Bangladesh approached connectivity in a wider context and believed in connecting ideas, knowledge, technology, culture, people, road-rail-air, movement of goods, services and investment, she told the inaugural session of the SAARC Summit.

"Bangladesh will appreciate the early signing of the Regional Motor Vehicles Agreement and the Regional Railways Agreement," said Hasina.

On the regional trade, she stressed the need for an early and effective implementation of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).
"We will particularly need to address the non-tariff and para-tariff barriers. Our people want to see robust actions, on the ground. They are more focused on outcomes than processes," the prime minister said.
Sumon Mahbub, our Senior Correspondent travelling with the prime minister, reported that Hasina outlined poverty as the "common and key enemy" in the region, and said ensuring food and nutritional security for an increasing population posed a big challenge.
She noted that cooperation in increasing productivity of key cereals, inland fisheries and livestock, improving water efficiency in agriculture were crucial for attaining nutritional security and eradicating poverty.
"In this context, effective operation of SAARC Food Bank and Seed Bank are important."
Optimum supply of energy the is key to steady and sustainable growth, said the prime minister, adding South Asian nations had much to tap in terms of regional hydro-power.
She urged member states to commit themselves on regional, sub-regional and bilateral initiatives for the development of the energy sector in a "comprehensive manner".

Terming climate change a serious challenge to much of the region's development, Hasina said: "The risks are so grave that, for Bangladesh, climate change may wipe out 2 to 3 percent of our annual GDP, including displacement of more than 30 million people by 2050."

SAARC needs to secure result-oriented implementation of the regional Agreements and Plans through cross-border initiatives to address the issue, she said.

According to the Bangladeshi premier, the UN's Global Development Agenda now required the region to focus on the Indian Ocean.

"There is so much to benefit from collaborative exploration of the living and non-living marine resources. The ocean resources-based Blue Economy can play a critical role in sustainable development of the SAARC region.

"Our common undertakings must secure protection, development and exploration of seas and oceans in a sustainable manner," said Hasina.

Touching on human resources, the prime minister pointed to the huge young population of the region and outlined the need to provide them "quality education and effective training".

"Our women and men need easy access to affordable and quality technical and vocational education. Our education and skill development need to be linked to employment and entrepreneurship," said Hasina.

She said Bangladesh made had made tremendous progress particularly in empowering women in social, economic and political arena, saying pragmatic policies, resource allocation and strong commitment of her government were instrumental to this achievement.

The Prime Minister also highlighted her government’s various steps in achieving success in education, women’s empowerment, ICT, health and sanitation sectors as well as attaining the target of ensuring universal safe drinking water.

She said that a number of regional centres in SAARC had generated important regional goods, knowledge and ideas and the member states should support them so that they could develop as centres of regional excellence.