DUSHANBE March 29, 2013, Asia-Plus – The 11th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) ministerial meeting is being held in Dushanbe today.
The Tajik president’s official website reports that in a welcoming and opening speech delivered at the meeting, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, in particular, noted that some Asian countries do not have access to common socioeconomic attainments such as food products, electrical power, safe drinking water, medical services and education.
According to him, it is necessary to expand cooperation within the framework of the ACD in order to tackle these problems.
Tajik president considers that the ACD must work out the strategy of sustainable development of its member nations. He, in particular, proposed to set up expert groups that would develop measures to ensure food security and development of energy and infrastructure in the Asian region.
Tajik leader also offered to set up a financial fund within the framework of the ACD. This fund would support alleviation of poverty in the needy countries of the region, President Rahmon noted.
The 11th ACD ministerial meeting that is being held at the Kokhi Somon in Dushanbe has reportedly brought together representatives of 32 countries.
We will recall that Tajikistan formally took over as rotating chair of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue last year. Tajikistan took over leadership of the ACD from Kuwait at the 10th ACD ministerial meeting that took place in Kuwait on October 14-15, 2012.
The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) is a body created in 2002 to promote Asian cooperation at a continental level and to help integrate separate regional cooperation organizations such as ASEAN, SAARC and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The ACD was founded by 18 members and currently comprises the 32 states (including all current members of ASEAN and the GCC).
The main objectives of the ACD are to: promote interdependence among Asian countries in all areas of cooperation by identifying Asia”s common strengths and opportunities which will help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for Asian people whilst developing a knowledge-based society within Asia and enhancing community and people empowerment; expand the trade and financial market within Asia and increase the bargaining power of Asian countries in lieu of competition and, in turn, enhance Asia”s economic competitiveness in the global market; serve as the missing link in Asian cooperation by building upon Asia”s potentials and strengths through supplementing and complementing existing cooperative frameworks so as to become a viable partner for other regions; ultimately transform the Asian continent into an Asian Community, capable of interacting with the rest of the world on a more equal footing and contributing more positively towards mutual peace and prosperity
