The Heads of State or Government, conscious of the vast potential being afforded by current advances in scientific research for the application of science and technology towards the well-being of the peoples of South Asia, agreed during the Sixth SAARC Summit (Colombo, December 1991), that scientific and technological cooperation should transcend national frontiers to derive the maximum benefit for the region. They emphasized that cooperation in the field of Science and Technology was of utmost importance in order to accelerate the process of development in South Asia. At the Eighth Summit (New Delhi, May 1995), while noting that some progress had been made towards establishment of networking arrangements, inter-alia, in the fields of Bio-Technology, Genetic Engineering, Energy Modelling Techniques and Low-Cost Housing and Building Technologies, the Leaders called for further acceleration of this process. The Leaders at the Tenth Summit (Colombo, July 1998), noted that the development of a regional self-reliance capability for South Asia in scientific research and development was essential, given a global context in which barriers to the free flow of technology still remained in place. They appreciated the efforts to foster collective co-operation in this field under the SAARC umbrella.

SAARC Technology Initiative
SAARC has given priority to regional cooperation under the rubric of Science and Technology. A number of activities are being undertaken including sharing of information, holding of seminars and production of studies and reports. An overall framework is essential to advance regional cooperation in Science and Technology. In this regard, efforts are underway to finalize a SAARC Technology Initiative. The Initiative will focus on identifying and implementing specific regional projects in rural areas which would have the direct impact in improving the day-to-day life of people there. Such an initiative could include rural telecommunications, drinking water and sanitation and improvement of life standards. The Leaders welcomed the offer by the Government of India to hold a Special Meeting of SAARC Science and Technology Ministers to consider the proposed SAARC Technology Initiative. The Technical Committee on Science and Technology and Meteorology is in the process of drawing up a list of activities to be considered for the SAARC Technology Initiative.

State-of-the-Art Reports
Four State-of-Art-Reports have been prepared by the Member States on the recommendation of the erstwhile Technical Committee on Science and Technology. Meetings of experts will be convened to develop common regional strategies and concrete plans of action on the basis of the Reports. The following Reports have either been completed or are in the process of being finalized.

State-of-the-Art Report on Building Materials and Housing Technologies
State-of-the-Art Report on Local Electronic Products in SAARC Region.

Meteorology
Cooperation in Meteorology was earlier considered by the erstwhile Technical Committee on Environment, Meteorology and Forestry. Under the restructured Regional Integrated Programme of Action, the subject of meteorology comes under the purview of the Technical Committee on Science and Technology. Given the unique geography and meteorological phenomena of the region, meteorology has remained an important area of cooperation in SAARC. Initiatives in this area are focused on intensifying regional cooperation in harnessing advances in atmospheric sciences and on current climate issues. A particular emphasis is made on cooperation in monitoring and prediction of weather to lessen its adverse impact on socio-economic development.

A SAARC Meteorological Research Center was established in 1995 with a clear set of objectives to further regional cooperation in meteorology. It continues to contribute to cooperative endeavours in this field. Recognizing the progress in technology and emerging trends, the Center has recently revised its objectives and goals.