Energy worries

While racking their mind to ensure food supply for the 1.5 billion people in the region, the booming demands for energy also posed big challenge to the region.

The escalation of fuel prices has created problems to sustain economic growth of South Asia while the rise in food prices has put questions on the very livelihood of our people, Nepali Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said at the summit.

"Our vulnerability to these shocks is more than that of many other countries," he noted.

Koirala's worries were widely seen among other SAARC leaders, who noted in the Colombo Declaration that increased access to energy is critical for fulfilling the legitimate expectations of growth and development in South Asia.

"The escalation of oil prices threatens both the energy security of the region, as well as the economic growth," said the declaration.

SAARC leaders recognized in the declaration the need to develop and conserve the conventional sources of energy and to build up renewable alternative energy resources including indigenous hydro power, solar, wind and bio while introducing energy reforms, energy efficiency and the trade and sharing of technology and expertise.

Anti-terror determination

The SAARC leaders also expressed deep concern over the threat posed by terrorism to the peace of the region.

Addressing the closing session of the summit, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out that terrorism had become a great menace throughout the world including the South Asia.

"South Asia cannot progress, unless there is stability and security throughout the region," Rajapaksa said, adding that the summit endorsed the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters in recognition of this reality.

It was agreed at the summit that the member states of SAARC should firmly operate through the exchange of information on terrorism.