www.mahendraguru.com (General Awareness) SAARC Southeast Asian Association for Regional co-operation stablished in 1985, focuses on promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, promote active support and mutual assistance, and cooperate with international and regional organizations. Membership: Eight states―Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Six observers—China, Japan, European Union, Republic of Korea, United States, Iran Of the eight Member States of SAARC, six founding members are from SEA Region. These are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The other two Member States are: Pakistan and Afghanistan. Meetings of heads of state are usually scheduled annually; Meetings of foreign secretaries, twice annually. The SAARC Secretary-General is H. E. Mr Ahmed Saleem. Its Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Principal Organisations - Meetings of Heads of State or Government: Meetings are held at the Summit level, usually on an annual basis. 18th SAARC Summit The eighteenth summit of 'South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation was held in Kathmandu, the capital of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal during 26–27 November 2014. Theme - "Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity" Sushil Koirala, then the Nepalese Prime Minister, was the main host of the event which took place in Rastriya Sabha Griha Sanandan Raj, Nepal. 19th SAARC Summit - The 19th SAARC summit is an upcoming meeting of the head of states or head of government of the eight SAARC countries after their previous meeting in Nepal. The Summit will take place in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2016. Date of Release -23-Feb-16 SUBJECT: GA www.mahendraguru.com.