ISLAMABAD Expressing satisfaction on the outcome of 16th SAARC Summit concluded in Thimphu on April 29, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday said that Pakistan agreed to redouble its efforts to achieve the SAARC development goals to help in poverty alleviation, food and energy security, health and education. In his statement issued after reaching here from Bhutan, where he attended the 16th SAARC Summit held, the Prime Minister said Pakistan contributed in a positive way in the deliberations of the Summit. He said the Summit very successfully reviewed the progress on the implementation of the decisions taken during the last SAARC Summit held in Colombo in 2008 and gave further directions to the SAARC processes on multi-dimensional issues of common interest including climate change, finance, trade, health etc. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan considered SAARC as indispensable for collective response to regional development deficit. We are committed to the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter, he said. The Prime Minister said, We envision SAARC to be an organisation, promoting not only the regional development, but advancing the global agenda of peace and prosperity. Pakistan has taken substantial measures to advance SAARC objectives. Gilani said, I stressed upon the need to create harmony and stability in the region to realise socio-economic development and ensure the well-being of our people. This certainly is the priority of my government. The theme of the Summit, Climate Change reflected common concerns on climate change. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and global warming. In order to forge tangible cooperation, the Prime Minister said, I proposed that a regional study on climate change risk be commissioned by SAARC. He said this proposal was adopted by the Summit. The Prime Minister said, We singed the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment. He said, Now we need to focus on sharing best practices and pool our resources to adopt region wide mitigation and adaptation measures. I elaborated on the need for regional cooperation on water conservation and water management, he added. On scientific research and transfer of applied technologies, the Prime Minister said he proposed the establishment of 'SAARC Science Foundation, as well as SAARC Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Forums. We have also offered to establish the SAARC Regional Centre on Climate Change in Pakistan, said Prime Minister Gilani. He said Pakistan welcomed the inauguration of the Secretariat of the SAARC Development Fund in Thimphu. This step would allow effective utilisation of the Fund, he added. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would also be making its assessed financial contribution to SDF. I am also happy to note that steady progress is being made towards operationalising the Food Bank, the SAARC Arbitration Council and the Regional Standards Organisation, he said. The Prime Minister said, Our candidate was elected as the Director General of the Arbitration Council, he added. Gilani said he also highlighted the usefulness of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which is a unique instrument for social outreach to the poor section of the society. He said, I offered that Pakistan would be happy to share the BISP experience with SAARC Member States. The Prime Minister said he also reaffirmed the will and determination to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. I underscored that terrorism is global, regional and local, trans-national and trans-regional phenomenon, he said. The Prime Minister said during the Summit, he reiterated the need to join hands to fight terrorism individually as well as collectively. He said, I stressed upon the need to forge a common front, based on tolerance, respect for human dignity and universal values. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would be hosting the meeting of the SAARC interior ministers in Islamabad in June, which would help strengthen cooperation in this vital area. In addition to this, he said Pakistan also agreed to consider the two draft agreements on SAARC Agreement on Multilateral Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment and SAARC Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards and to discuss SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to National Disasters at the Experts Level. He said, We emphasised the need to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region. The Prime Minister said Pakistan also agreed to continue reduction of sensitive lists under SAFTA, which are promoting regional trade and economic cooperation. He said SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services was signed during the Summit to promote trade and economic activities in the region. The Prime Minister said during his stay in Thimphu, he had also an opportunity to meet with the King of Bhutan. In addition, he held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, and President of Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister said he also met the Vice Foreign Minister of China on the sidelines of the Summit. The SAARC leaders supported Pakistans efforts for peace and stability in South Asia, he added.