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| Mr. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of Republic of Maldives |
The South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation which is officially recognized as
SAARC was founded in the year 1985
by the countries; Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. As its
eighth member state, .Afghanistan joined the regional organization SAARC in the
month of April 2007 Inaugurated by
Late King Birendra Bir
Bikram Shah of Nepal, the Secretariat of SAARC was established in Kathmandu 16TH
January 1987. The 18th
SAARC Summit has been held recently in Kathmandu which is the capital of Nepal during
26th to 27th November 2014. Focused on enhancing connectivity
between the member 8 states for easier transit-transport across the region,
the theme of 18th SAARC summit was “Deeper
Integration for Peace and Prosperity”. Following is the full speech by
President Mr. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, at the Inaugural session of the 18th
SAARC Summit.
الرّحيــم
اَلحَمْـدُ لِلّـهِ رَبّ العَـالَمِـين، وَالصّـلاة وَالسّلام
علـى سيدنا محـمَّدٍ، خاتم الأنبياء والمرسلين، وَعلـى آلـه وَصَحْبِـهِ أجمـعـين.
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Prime Minister of Nepal, Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, the
Secretary General, Distinguished Observers, Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Assalamu-Alaikum-Wa-Rahmathullahi-Wa-Barakaathuhu;
We have come from the
shores of the lowest lying country in the region, to the highest peaks and the
most beautiful valleys. I must commend Your Excellency Mr Sushil Koirala, Prime
Minister of Nepal, SAARC’s new Chairman, for the excellent arrangements made
for us.
I would also like to
extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Arjun Bahadur
Thapa, on his assumption of office as the Secretary General of our Association.
Excellencies;
During our recent
Chairmanship, the Maldives took a keen interest in institutional reform of the
organisation. We sought to make SAARC more relevant, goal-oriented, and
results-based. We listened to the often heard saying that SAARC was very
efficient in having meetings regarding every aspect of South Asia, but less
effective in delivery than perhaps we had hoped to be. We wanted SAARC to move
towards regional resilience; to make SAARC an organisation that gives the
people of this region a collective and common identity; one that made South
Asians proud.
I congratulate you,
the Member States, and the ever-so diligent Secretariat, on delivering reforms
that are necessary and essential.
Excellencies;
Our engagement with
other regions and countries has been revitalised. I have no doubt that there
is, indeed, much scope for further strengthening such ties. We live in a
globalised world where inter-regional relations matter: we need to focus on
internal regionalisation, but we also need to focus on building our
relationship with other countries that are keen to work with us. Dialogue partners
are interested in the advantages that our innovative, creative and youthful
populations can offer. And it would only be to our benefit to engage with
partners as a group, rather than individually.
Excellencies;
The chosen theme for
this Summit “Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity”
encapsulates some of the core values and stated objectives of our Organisation.
This region accounts
for one-quarter of the world’s population, yet as a region we hold limited
sway, have limited say and we have not been heard enough, in the power rooms of
the world.
The vision of our
founders was clear. It was grounded on the cherished bonds of the shared
civilisation, common history and culture; on the genuine desire to build
relations between us; on the sacred premise that regional cooperation is
mutually beneficial, desirable; and indeed necessary.
There is no doubt that
the Twenty First Century is indeed the Century of Asia. Ours is the region
within Asia that holds the most advantages in both human and natural resources,
to benefit from global undercurrents.
I firmly believe that
trade and commerce hold the key to the future prosperity of our peoples and for
peace within our region. SAARC must attune itself to the realities of the day
and seize the opportunities that are presented to us. We must not be left
behind.
Excellencies;
Thirty years after the
inception of SAARC, how far have we managed to come towards realising the dream
of our Founding Fathers? SAARC has managed to hold countless meetings. It has
expanded into many fields, many services and many issues. It has contributed to
building confidence and trust among the top leaders of our nations.
But, let’s take a step
back. Let’s review our progress and the way ahead. Let’s rethink our priorities,
our goals: the ultimate vision of what we want SAARC to be.
The last time we were
here, in Nepal was at the dawn of the new millennium. At that meeting, we
concentrated in a big way, on the realisation of the Millennium Development
Goals, in the hope of realising poverty eradication around the region. Twelve
years later, we are here again, at the cusp of the post-2015 development
agenda. And yet again, we shall renew our commitment to end poverty across this
region.
One such avenue to
deepen our integration, to realise poverty alleviation, is trade. Commerce
underscores good neighbourly relations, unlocks the doors to each other’s
communities. Trade fosters mutual understanding and benefits, moving entire
communities from poverty to prosperity.
If trade holds the
answer to tackling poverty, eliminating barriers to trade is its linchpin.
Without mutual trust, trade can never foster. And without trade, without
commerce, we cannot improve the lives of our peoples.
Excellencies;
The true potential of
this region may be unlocked, and the relations between us deepened, through
innovation, drive, and most importantly leadership. Regional growth and
prosperity most certainly requires the contribution, cooperation and commitment
of all States within the region. Yet, given the geographical, economic, and
political complexities, it is natural that some States will take the lead role,
and steer the region on an upward developmental trajectory.
We are particularly
encouraged by the example set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are inspired,
Excellency, by your various initiatives, in this short period of time, towards
strengthening regional relationships including the “neighbourhood
first” policy. These are steps in the right direction, a signal of
the renewed activism with which India is facing SAARC. As Prime Minister Modi
noted in his inaugural address, the one occasion where all SAARC Leaders met
outside of a SAARC Summit, South Asia has overcome enormous challenges, passed
huge obstacles to get to where we are, to secure our independence, so there is
no question about our potential to secure a prosperous future for our peoples.
Excellencies;
As a region, SAARC has
the right, and surely has the might, to make it one of the most powerful
regions in the world. Yet we continue to be led, rather than lead. Even when we
continue to progress and bring development to our countries, poverty and
destitution remain rampant. Despite our share of the global population, we have
no collective voice.
Our region will be one
of the most affected by climate change. Yet we continue to be complacent in
taking action as a group. We continue to leave climate change on the back
burner. The Maldives, as the next Chair of AOSIS, will be looking to our
friends for support during the crucial years ahead.
I ask you, should we
not demand for what we want? Should we not stand up for what we believe? Dare
we not speak up for what is right for our people? Is it not time, Excellencies,
that we stand up to receive our share, raise our voice, in the international
arena?
Is it not time that we
forge common positions on critical issues of importance, and defend them
ardently? Individually, most of the countries in this region, are too small to
hold a loud voice, yet collectively, we can cross oceans and scale mountains.
It is time that we start putting “South Asia first”.
Excellencies;
Our challenge today is
to work towards peace, security and economic sustainability in the SAARC
region; to harness the full potential of every corner of this region; to
deliver prosperity that is felt by every individual, seen in every community,
realised in every country, and appreciated by the rest of the world; to
transform SAARC from a group of aspirations to an Association of actions and
results.
Next year SAARC
celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. It is also a time of celebration and joy
in the Maldives, as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee of Independence. Such
milestones not only offer us an opportunity to look back on what has been
achieved. It is, more importantly, an opportunity to chart the course for the
future, reaffirm resolve and reassess priorities. I firmly believe that, at
this important juncture, our priorities for future collaboration and
cooperation should be the 4 “P”s – peace, prosperity, progress, partnership.
The objectives of
SAARC were not in doubt. The potential of South Asia is not in doubt. The
resolve of its leaders and expectation of its peoples must not be in doubt.
And, hence, the success of the Organisation will surely not be in doubt.
As the last speaker of
this distinguished gathering, I’m particularly happy and duty bound to
acknowledge the contributions of my predecessor speakers, and I’m particularly
encouraged by the parting words Prime Minister Modi has expressed towards
making SAARC a real success. I congratulate Mr. Prime Minister.
The success of this
organisation should not be held in doubt. Big or small, in the south or in the
north, we are bound by common identities; we are bound by a common culture.
Each one of us has a contribution to make this region a success.
The lives and
livelihoods of a billion people are in our hands. It is time, my distinguished
colleagues, we show leadership, and we walk the talk.
Thank you.
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