ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF SAARC

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

COMPOSITION : Foreign Ministers of member states

FUNCTIONS

Formation of policies.

Review of progress of cooperation.

Decides new areas of cooperation.

MEETINGS : Held before and between the 2 conferences

STANDING COMMITTEE

COMPOSITION : Foreign Secretaries of member states.

FUNCTIONS

Monitoring and coordinating programmes of cooperation in different areas.

Approval of projects and programmes.

Mobilisation of regional and external resources.

Identification of new areas of cooperation.

MEETINGS : The Committee meets as often as necessary.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE

COMPOSITION : Consists of the heads of SAARC divisions of member states.

FUNCTIONS : Considers the calendar of activities, the administrative and financial matters of the Secretariat and Regional Centres, Technical Committees, Working Groups and Specialised Bodies.

MEETINGS : Meets prior to the meetings of the Standing Committee.

TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

COMPOSITION : Representatives of Member States.

FUNCTIONS : Responsible for implementing, coordinating, and monitoring the programmes implemented.

WORKING GROUPS

FUNCTIONS : Coordinate, evaluate and monitor programs.