What is the agenda of the upcoming SAARC meeting?
The theme of the 18th SAARC Summit to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 26-27 is ‘Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity’. South Asian nations are set to sign three framework agreements related to connectivity—the Agreement for the Regulation of Passenger and Cargo Vehicular Traffic amongst SAARC Member States, the SAARC Regional Agreement on Railways, and the SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity). In addition to these three agreements, a 31-point Kathmandu Declaration will be issued on the concluding day of the summit.
What are the issues that will dominate the discussions at the summit?
The summit next week is expected to make a commitment to eradicate illiteracy by 2030 from the region and to address violence against women; it will also stress on providing high-quality education that will help build skills and knowledge, ensuring employment opportunities for youth, and according respect to senior citizens; and it will call for ending all forms of terrorism.