In the modern age, No state is entirely self-sufficient. From this necessity, the ideas of regional and international co-operation emerged. Many international organizations have been formed. One of them is the United Nations. The United Nations was formed with a view to establishing world peace. Almost all countries of the world are member states of the United Nations. Bangladesh achieved the membership of the United Nations in 1974. Besides, there are different regional organizations, such as- SAARC, ASEAN, EU, G-7, OAU, OIC, Arab League etc. These organizations work collectively for the interest of their member countries. In class five, we have learnt about different agencies and organizations affiliated with of the United Nations. In this chapter, we will know about different organizations of regional cooperation along with their aims and functions.
At the end of this chapter, we will be able to-
- explain the importance of regional cooperation;
- mention various aspects of cooperation among the countries of the same region;
- describe the form and activities of leading organization for regional cooperation in the world;
- be encouraged in mutual agreement, cooperation, amity and brotherhood.
Lesson-1 and 2: Importance of Regional Cooperation and Its Areas
In the modern world, countries are dependent on one another. Problems and needs of different states are different. No state alone can meet all its needs. But if these needs are not addressed and problems are not solved, welfare and development of the people of the countries is not possible. If the neighbouring countries help and co-operate one another, any problem can be easily solved. For this reason, countries of the same region mutually co-operate one another. As a result, different organizations of regional cooperation are formed. Through collective effort, they work for removing economic, political and commercial impediments in these regions. Consequently, development of all parties is attained.
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Areas of regional Cooperation
There are various areas of regional cooperation. With the passage of time, these areas are continuously expanding. However, the notable areas of present time are commerce and industry, security, energy, information technology, agriculture, tourism, sports, prevention of drugs and smuggling, transportation and communication, development and exchange of human resources, culture, health care, climate and environmental development and so on.
Areas of Regional Cooperation
- Commerce & Industry
- Security
- Energy
- Transportation & Communication
- Prevention of Drugs & Smuggling
- Development & Exchange of Human Resource
- Culture
- Sports
- Tourism
- Climate & Environmental Development
- Agriculture
- Health & Medicine
- Information Technology
Task: Make a list of areas of Regional cooperation.
Lesson- 3 and 4 : Remarkable Organizations for Regional Cooperation
Based on advantage of location, many organizations of regional cooperation have been formed. In this lesson, we will learn about activities of some remarkable organizations of regional cooperation.
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SAARC
SAARC was established by the south Asian countries including Bangladesh. The full name of this organization is South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
On the initiative of Bangladesh, SAARC was formed on December 8, 1985. Currently, the organization has 8 member states. Apart from Bangladesh, the other member countries of SAARC are—India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Besides this, there are currently a total 9 observers including Myanmar.
Though the main target of this organization is economic cooperation, its working field has extended across all sectors including social, educational, cultural, communicative and technological development. The headquarters of the SAARC is situated in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The visionary behind it was Shahid president Ziaur Rahman.
Goals and Objectives of SAARC
- To upgrade the life style of the people of SAARC countries;
- To do free trade among the countries of South Asia;
- To introduce welfare economic system;
- To build up self-reliance among the member countries;
- To work for social and cultural development of the region;
- To create mutual understanding among the SAARC countries resolving the existing disputes and problems.
ASEAN
ASEAN was formed on 08 August 1967 consisting of ten countries of South East Asia. The full name of the organization is Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Currently, the organization has 10 member states. The members of this organization are Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore.
The headquarter of ASEAN is situated in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
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Goals and Purposes of ASEAN
- To work for economic development through collective endeavor;
- To sustain peace and stability in that region;
- To work for social, cultural, economic and technological cooperation and amity among the member countries.
- To organize training and research in professional and vocational fields among themselves.
- To expand cooperation in agricultural and industrial sectors among the member countries.
- In Bangla it is called an organization of South-East Asian nations.
Task - 1: Show the ASEAN and SAARC countries in the map of Asia.
Task - 2: Make a list of the activities which can be done by SAARC.
Task - 3: Make a list of the activities which can be done by ASEAN.
European Union (EU)
Common Market was formed as the initial step of cooperation among the West European countries. Then the scope of the Common Market was expanded as European Union (EU). Almost all countries of Europe are members of this union. Currently, the organization has 27 member states. The European Union has started their own currency known as ‘Euro’. All the countries of the European Union use Euro alongside their own currency. Today, the member countries can communicate, settle and carry on trade and commerce from one country to another freely. The headquarters of the European Union is situated in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Group of seven (G7)
There is an inter-governmental organization named G-7. The full name of this organization is Group of seven (G7). The rich, industrially developed and influential countries formed G-7 group. The USA, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Canada and Italy are members of this 7-member-organization.
This group not only extends cooperation among the members, but also considers extending help and support to the least developing nations as of ours. Besides, G-7 also considers and discusses important global issues like changes of environment and climate. It also aims to make the world free from poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health and decides own strategies for the implementation of their plans.
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Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an organization of Muslim countries around the world. The OIC, or Organization of Islamic Cooperation, was established in 1969. The organization currently has 57 member states. Its main objectives are to protect the interests of the Muslim world, maintain peace and security, enhance economic and social cooperation, and promote Islamic education and culture. Bangladesh became a member of the OIC in 1974. Its headquarters is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The African countries have formed Organization of African Unity (OAU); the organization of the Arab countries is the Arab League; Commonwealth has been formed by the countries of the British colony which are now independent. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) formed by the countries who are not members of any military alliance. Bangladesh is an important member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
In addition, bilateral cooperation agreement is signed between two countries for mutual cooperation. At present, this type of agreement is on the rise because this agreement of bilateral cooperation is the most effective one in the field of international cooperation.
Task: Getting divided into groups discuss and present how different countries are benefited by regional cooperation.
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