The problems of South Asia, and the numbers of people affected, are so huge that they pose a defining challenge to the United Nations in its role as the global arena for problem solving. South Asian issues requiring UN involvement include economic development, environmental protection, food and water security, democratic governance and human rights, nuclear war and peace, interstate and internal conflicts, and new security issues such as AIDS and international terrorism. This book presents issues of particular relevance to the region and explores the potential for improvement in domestic and international efforts to alleviate the problems of South Asia.