What is Colombo Plan?

The Colombo Plan was established in 1950 with its headquarters in Colombo. It is a regional organisation that embodies the concept of collective intergovernmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary focus of all Colombo Plan activities is on human resources development.

Source: colombo-plan.org

Purpose of Colombo Plan

• To promote the development of the newly independent Asian member countries.

Members of Colombo Plan

It was started as a group of seven Commonwealth countries; it has now 27 member countries.  27 Current members Afghanistan; Australia;  Bangladesh; Bhutan; Brunei; Fiji; India; Indonesia; Iran;  Japan; Laos; Malaysia; Maldives; Mongolia; Myanmar; Nepal; New Zealand; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea, Philippines; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Thailand; United States and Vietnam. Former members were Cambodia; Canada; South Vietnam and United Kingdom.

Permanent Programmes of the Colombo Plan

1. Programme for Public Administration & Environment (PPA & ENV)

2. Programme for Private Sector Development (PPSD)

3. Drug Advisory Programme (DAP)

4. Long-term Scholarships Programme (LTSP)