ISLAMABAD, Dec 19: The Saarc Social Charter is set to be signed by leaders of the seven-nation South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation at the 12th Summit here next month, key diplomats tell Dawn on Friday.

Officials termed the charter’s signing a significant landmark in the 18-year-long history of the regional association, saying it would give member states a roadmap for social development.

“The Social Charter sets minimum standards for social development in the region and puts in place a mechanism of cooperating on vital social issues that have not been given due attention,” a senior official, who was involved in the drafting process, said.

A South Asian diplomat said that the charter provided the necessary underpinnings for peace and security in the region.

The 10th Saarc Summit in Colombo in 1998 directed that a Social Charter be developed for Saarc, elevating the status of national plans of action to a regional dimension with a specific role for Saarc.

It was determined that the charter would focus on setting broad-range targets to be achieved across the region.