The 15th SAARC Summit has placed food security high on its agenda with the promise of more state intervention including a SAARC Food Bank to help any Member State in case of exigencies.

Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona addressing media at the conclusion of Standing Committee meetings said that all Member States had reached a consensus on the concept of a SAARC Food Bank.

Dr. Kohona added that a preliminary draft as a proposal would be forwarded to the Foreign Minister’s meeting for further perusal.

According to Dr. Kohona a proposal by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to set up food reserves across the region too had garnered popular interest and had been discussed in line with the proposed “Food Bank”.

The transfer of new technology and extending institutional support for increasing production in the agricultural sector were also too discussed at length, he added.

According to Dr. Kohona food production alone is not sufficient to meet the present day demands in facing the world food crisis but another vital component would be the existence of a proper mechanism for distribution which the Member States had agreed principally.

The leaders are set to sign the “Colombo Declaration on Food Security” during the main summit.

Dr. Kohona briefing the media regarding standing committee deliberations said that they had been able to reach about 98 per cent consensus on the all matters discussed and would be presenting their proposals to the Minister’s meeting.

A common understanding had been reached regarding issues such as the SAARC declaration, food security and protocol on the international observers. Also matters pertaining to terrorism and its implications, environment, poverty alleviation, energy and water resources and climate change were discussed at length and proposals would be forwarded to the next level, Dr. Kohona added.
The Standing Committee also agreed on the recommendation to set up a US$ 300 million SAARC Development Fund as soon as possible.

The establishment of a regional economic unit for research and development was proposed by Sri Lanka.