<P> SAARC was founded in Dhaka on 8 December 1985 . Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu , Nepal . The organization promotes development of economic and regional integration . It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006 . SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities , including the European Union . </P>
when was the south asian association for regional co-operation ( saarc ) formed
8 December 1985