President Mohamed Nasheed has used his maiden address to the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit to call for a “comprehensive review of the on-the-ground effectiveness of SAARC”.

President Nasheed said it was time the member states assessed in which areas the SAARC could make a real difference in the region and the world.

Emphasizing that South Asia is one of the most dynamic and important regions in the world, he added SAARC has “a key role to play in the 21st century.

President Nasheed outlined four main areas in which SAARC members could increase cooperation.

Green investment and development

Stating that climate change could be turned to the mutual advantage of all countries, President Nasheed said South Asia could become a testing ground for innovative green technologies, for research in renewable energy and for a new form of sustainable development.

“By 2020, I want South Asia to be recognized as the main incubator of the world’s green industrial revolution,” said the President.

As one of the means to achieve the goal, he called on member states to establish a Low-Carbon Research and Development Centre in the proposed South Asian University.

Democracy and Human Rights

Expressing pleasure that “South Asia is now a region of democracies”, President noted that there were many challenges in consolidating democracy and strengthening human rights.

In his speech, the President proposed establishing a regional human rights mechanism, which would help countries to promote and protect rights and freedoms.

“And such a mechanism could help people in our region to develop a common understanding of universal human rights issues and perspectives", he said.

Food and energy security

President said South Asia region was badly affected by the global food and energy crisis, and that the Maldives shared the problem with other member states.

The President supported the proposal to jointly import crude oil into the region, saying that it would increase energy security and bargaining position in world market.

Fostering inter-cultural exchange

On fostering inter-cultural exchange, especially among the youth, the President said he believed “SAARC has a vital role to play in fostering inter-cultural exchange, especially among our youth.”

“The greatest hope for South Asia lies with our children”, he added.

Before he spoke on SAARC specific issues, the President outlined the democratic reform process in the Maldives and the developmental challenges the new government was facing.

The President concluded his address calling for effective conversations between India and Pakistan.

The two-day Summit of the Heads of State and Government of South Asian Assoiation for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is being held at the Grand Assembly Hall in the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu.

The Thimphu summit also marks the silver jubilee celebration of SAARC that was formed in Bangladesh in December 1985 with the aim of eradicating poverty and improving the living standard of 1.5 billion people of the region through mutual cooperation.

The leaders attending the summit, besides President Nasheed, are Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lanka President Mahenda Rajapaksa, Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, and Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley.

Prior to the Inaugural Session, the leaders met for an informal lunch hosted by the Prime Minister of Bhutan.