Department of Regional Cooperation

Director :
Telephone: +975-2- 334655
Fax: +975-2-322380

1. The Department of SAARC and Other Regional Organizations (DSOR) was established through a government order in June 2009.

The Department has been renamed as Department of Regional Cooperation (DoRC) since June 2020 to reflect the changing roles of the Department.

2. The Department serves as the national focal point of the Royal Government for the following regional organizations:

a) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
b) Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
c) Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)

3. The Department is headed by a Director and has three divisions namely SAARC, BIMSTEC and ACD Divisions.

4. The detailed responsibilities/role of the Department are as follows:

a) Channel of communication between the Regional Organisations and the various agencies of the Government.
b) Process, monitor and coordinate the implementation of various activities emanating from the decisions taken by these organizations, the regional centres, the SAARC Development Fund, SAARC apex bodies and SAARC recognized bodies.
c) Provide guidance on both policy matters and preparations for participation in SAARC, BIMSTEC and ACD related meetings.
d) Assist with participation in inter-governmental meetings and high level ministerial and Summit level meetings.
e) Coordinate, scrutinize and monitor financial contributions to the regional organizations.
f) Process and coordinate the ratification and implementation of the SAARC and BIMSTEC Conventions/Agreements.
g) Preparation for annual high level SAARC Charter body, BIMSTEC and ACD meetings at the level of Head of Government, Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary.
h) Coordinate and monitor holding of SAARC and BIMSTEC meetings in Bhutan and outside the country.