At the inception of the Association, the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) consisting of a number of Technical Committees (TCs) was identified as the core areas of cooperation. Over the period of years, the numbers of TCs were changed as per the requirement. The current areas of cooperation under the reconstituted Regional Integrated Programme of Action which is pursued through the Technical Committees cover:

1. Agriculture and Rural Development;
2. Health and Population Activities;
3. Women, Youth and Children;
4. Environment and Forestry;
5. Science and Technology and Meteorology;
6. Human Resources Development; and
7. Transport.

Recently, high level Working Groups have also been established to strengthen cooperation in the areas of Information and Communications Technology, Biotechnology, Intellectual Property Rights, Tourism, and Energy.
Given the emphasis laid down at successive Summits on the need to expand the areas of cooperation and strengthen the regional cooperation, a number of other areas have been included in the SAARC agenda. Several Ministerial level meetings have taken place to give due emphasis in various fields. The details of work programme under each agreed areas of cooperation can be viewed by clicking the respective links.