36th SAARC Charter Day : 8th December

SAARC Charter Day is observed annually on 8th December. This day marks the signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985 by the Leaders of SAARC Countries Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka. Since the establishment of the Association, the SAARC Secretariat, member states, regional centers and apex/recognized bodies have been commemorating December 8 as the SAARC Charter day and celebrate it with great enthusiasm by organizing events and programs. The last year's SAARC Charter Day was celebrated on 8th December 2019 as the 35th SAARC Charter Day.

Main features of SAARC charter :

• SAARC members are Desirous of promoting peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of the UNITED NATIONS CHARTER and NON- ALIGNMENT, particularly respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, national independence, non-use of force and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and peaceful settlement of all disputes;
• Article I of the charter sets the objectives for SAARC countries. The objectives of the ASSOCIATION under charter is:

1. to promote the welfare of the peoples of SOUTH ASIA and to improve their quality of life;
2. to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realise their full potentials;
3. to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of SOUTH ASIA;
4. to contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems;
5. to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields;
6. to strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;
7. to strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests; and
8. to cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes.

Article 3 of the charter says that The Heads of State or Government of SAARC countries shall meet once a year or more often as and when considered necessary by the Member States. Article 10 says that the Bilateral and contentious issues shall be excluded from the deliberations.