The 22nd anniversary of the signing of the Charter of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) was observed yesterday.
The Charter was signed during the first Saarc summit held in Dhaka on December 8, 1985.
The Saarc Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC) organised a function in the city to mark the occasion.
Defence Secretary Kamrul Hasan inaugurated the function as chief guest.
Chairman of the Governing Board of SMRC and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Brigadier General Shah Muhammad Sultan Uddin Iqbal, Bir Protik, attended the function as special guest.
The defence secretary said the Saarc provided a platform for mutual cooperation of the people of this region.
“Inclusion of Afghanistan as a new member of Saarc will further strengthen this regional body,” he added.
Referring to cyclone Sidr, the secretary said people vulnerable to such disaster could be shifted to safer places through early warning at right time by the Met office as well as other concerned departments.
Kamrul said natural disasters are occurring due to global warming and stressed the need for all-out preparedness to be protected from the wrath of such calamities.
The day's programme also included a technical session on various research activities conducted by the SMRC.
Research officers from different scientific organisations including SMRC presented keynote papers.
SMRC Director Dr Samarendra Karmaker addressed the programme.