The eighth edition of Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians (ASSP) began in Colombo.
- This conference is a platform for the parliamentarians of South Asia to work together to reach the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
- The main theme of this year’s conference is ‘Association of the SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians’.
- Discussions on ‘Promoting parliamentary diplomacy and open parliament in the age of digitalization’ and ‘SAARC parliamentarians’ role in preserving cultural and archaeological heritage in South Asia region’ will also be held.
- A commemorative stamp was issued to mark the eighth Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians.
Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians
- It was set up in 1992 with the vision of promoting friendship and understanding among the people of South Asia
- It promotes coordination and exchange of information among parliaments and parliamentarians of SAARC countries
- It provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information on parliamentary procedures and practices of the region.
SAARC
- It stands for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
- It was founded in Dhaka on 8th December 1985
- Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- It is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia.
- Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
- Its Secretary-General is Arjun Bahadur Thapa.
