The 13th summit of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) held in Dhaka from 12 - 13 November 2005 has endorsed the decision to open a new forestry regional center in Bhutan. Quote from Dhaka Declaration:

..While expressing satisfaction at the progress in implementation of the SAARC Environment Action Plan, the Leaders welcomed the decision of the Council of Ministers to establish a SAARC Forestry Centre in Bhutan. They emphasized on the need for the Centre to have a coordinating role in the field of Forestry for exchange of information, expertise, training and formulation of regional projects with emphasis on social forestry..

We hope SAARC Forestry Center will foster cooperation among forestry organizations and professionals working in the South-Asian region.