At a Glance:


Federal
Countries: 5

Australia

India

Nepal

Pakistan

Malaysia

Regional Body:
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) – 8 member countries

Regional Body Headquarters: Kathmandu, Nepal

Regional Body Latest Treaty or Constitution:
SAARC Charter, adopted December 8, 1985

Asia-Pacific

Map of Asia Our Work in Asia-Pacific

The Forum currently works in Australia, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
 
Each year, programs organized in these countries reach public servants, academics, and members of civil society who share experiences in federal governance.

In Forum programs, practitioners of federalism in Asian countries have shared their knowledge and expertise with their counterparts in other Asian countries where the Forum works in the areas of conflict resolution, intergovernmental relations and writing and amending constitutions.

Federalism in Asia-Pacific

The region has mature federations such as Australia and India, and a relative newcomer: Nepal, which announced its intention to join the federal club in 2008. India, which adopted its federal constitution in 1950, has since amended it 94 times to meet the needs of its states and its central and local governments. In Pakistan, the constitution was amended in 2010 to strengthen its federal structure. Australia has seen the emergence of a new agency, the Council for the Federation, representing the states and territories and the federal government. In Sri Lanka, the country is still looking for ways of power-sharing that could accommodate Tamils and Muslims in a country where Sinhalese are the majority. 

Where We Work