Question

What is Regional organisation?

Hint:

When asked for an example, try to provide one political/economic example (like SAARC or ASEAN) and one highly integrated example (like the EU) to show a broader understanding of the concept.

Answer 1

Step 1: Key Concept:
A regional organization is an international organization that brings together member states from a specific geographical region to work towards common goals. These organizations are a form of multilateralism, but their membership is restricted to a particular area of the world.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The key characteristics of a regional organization are:
1. Geographical Proximity: Membership is limited to countries located within a defined geographical region, such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, or Europe.
2. Common Goals and Interests: Member states share common interests and objectives, which can be political, economic, social, cultural, or security-related. The organization provides a platform to pursue these shared goals collectively.
3. Formal Structure: They are typically established by a formal treaty or charter that outlines the organization's objectives, principles, structure, and functions. They have a formal structure, including a secretariat and mechanisms for regular meetings of heads of state, ministers, or officials.
Examples:
- SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation): An organization of South Asian nations.
- ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): An organization of Southeast Asian nations.
- European Union (EU): A highly integrated political and economic union of European countries.