SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation popularly known as SAARC is an organization established by the mutual understanding of south Asian countries. The SAARC was established by initial seven members Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the year 1985. The newest member of SAARC is Afghanistan who was the part of it from the year 2007. 

The organization structure of SAARC consists of Council, Council of Minister, Standing committee, programming committee, technical committee and secretarial. The SAARC policies are focused on welfare economics, collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia and to accelerate socio-cultural development in the region. Besides these as well, SAARC countries cooperate in different sectors such as agriculture, transportation, environmental conservation, technology etc. SAARC also conduct award functions which are awarded for the contribution in different sectors within the SAARC countries. 

The logo of SAARC refers to peace and helping each other. Even though the SAARC Charter requires the heads of state or government to meet once a year, the summits generally take place in approximately every eighteen months. The first SAARC summit was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1985 and now 18th SAARC summit is going to be held at Kathmandu, Nepal from 22nd November. The country is now on a verge of completing the preparation needed for the summit. This is the third time Nepal is hosting SAARC summit.
Reference: Wikipedia
Photo source: saarc-sec.org