The flag of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the banner of the regional intergovernmental organisation founded in Dhaka in December 1985. SAARC links the eight nations of South Asia in a framework for economic and cultural cooperation.
The design
The Flag of SAARC is a national emblem rendered in the colours and proportions defined by the country’s flag law. Its official aspect ratio is 2:3, the height-to-length ratio that fixes how the flag should be cut and flown. The colour scheme uses blue, white, with each shade specified to particular Pantone or RGB values for official reproduction.
Colour palette
| Colour | Name | Common symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | blue | Frequently symbolises sky, sea, freedom, vigilance or perseverance. |
| White | white | Commonly represents peace, purity, honesty or snow-capped landscapes. |
| Source | Official flag law | The country’s own statute or constitutional appendix specifies exact shades and proportions. |
Symbolism & heraldry
A blue field bearing a stylised silver-white emblem at centre — a globe surrounded by the SAARC name. The blue references the Indian Ocean which links the member states; the central globe shows the South Asian region in particular focus.
Heraldic elements on the Flag of SAARC — bands, charges, emblems or stars — each carry meaning agreed at the moment of the flag’s adoption. Re-readings happen across generations: a colour or a symbol that began with one meaning often picks up further layers as the country’s history unfolds.
Adoption & history
The current flag was adopted in 1985. It is credited to SAARC Secretariat. Earlier banners flown by reflected the politics of their day; each redesign typically marked a moment of independence, regime change or constitutional reform. The current flag was chosen, debated and codified through the country’s official channels and is now protected by flag law.
Etiquette & protocol
The Flag of SAARC should be flown with respect: never allowed to touch the ground, never used as drapery for ceremonies it was not made for, and lowered or removed at sundown unless illuminated. When flown alongside other national flags, it takes precedence on home soil and is hoisted first and lowered last. On days of national mourning, the flag is flown at half-mast in line with directives from the head of state. These conventions are common to most nations and are usually written into the flag’s founding statute.
Specifications
| Field | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Country | — | |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| ISO alpha-2 | 2-letter code | |
| ISO alpha-3 | 3-letter code | |
| Adopted | 1985 | year of current design |
| Proportion | 2:3 | height : length |
| Colours | blue, white | — |
| Designer | SAARC Secretariat | — |
| Emoji | Unicode codepoint sequence |
Did you know?
SAARC summits have been suspended since 2016 because of bilateral tensions between India and Pakistan, leaving the organisation institutionally intact but practically dormant.
About the organisation
SAARC was founded in 1985. Its headquarters are in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Member states
SAARC has 8 member states. Membership current as of 2024-01.
