Asia Cooperation Dialogue should exploit economic opportunities - FM

This century belongs to Asia and is often called "the Asian Century". The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), probably the only major Grouping of nations which spreads across the entire spectrum of Asia, could well leverage to take the advantage of the economic and political opportunities of this vast region, said Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Minister said Sri Lanka considers the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) as an indispensable and crucial diverse Grouping of 30 countries of Asia, both large and small and developed and developing, which could promote and nurture economic development, in all spheres, and instill a sense of political stability and predictability.

He said:"It is most heartening to note that the ACD, which is hardly six years since her inception, has already evolved, progressed and advanced in to a powerful Grouping of Asian nations, reflecting the intrinsic and inherent strengths of the members of the ACD. Having stated this premise, it is of no doubt that the ACD plays a pivotal and instrumental role in the realm of interdependence and cooperation between and among the member States.

The ACD has already galvanized and stimulated tangible economic cooperation and more importantly, connectivity between and among the members. These courses of action engender and reinforce a sense of Asian identity and common values.

The identified projects of the ACD, which are underway and are in progress, would enhance the economic base of many a developing countries and could empower the less privileged people.

The ACD member States consisting of nearly 2/3rd of humanity are endowed with a significant amount of natural resources ranging from oil, gas, coal and minerals to steel, aluminum, copper and hydro power, thus cogently demonstrating the economic potential and prowess, which is yet to be fully realised in many developing countries.

May I take this opportunity to broach that the current economic and financial turmoil of unprecedented global scale should be addressed in a concerted and coordinated manner, since many of our countries would feel its repercussions.

The livelihood of these people matter most when they are compelled to confront global threats leading to economic downturn and even to recession. It is opportune that all of us of the ACD should meet at least on an annual basis and formulate a pragmatic agenda, which would assist and accommodate member States on economic cooperation, whilst addressing the economic challenges.

Allow me to move to a different subject, a subject that affects directly or indirectly all of us regardless of where we live, which is none other than terrorism. Terrorism, which over the years has matured and grown to international levels by transcending its nefarious and despicable acts of violence to foreign territories, has today become a global threat.

It would be correct to state that in today's highly integrated global milieu, the greatest and most potent threat not only to the humanity but to economic advancement, is terrorism. Sri Lanka is a victim of terrorism and is in the process of addressing it accordingly.

In order to address international terrorism in all its manifestations, the comity of nations in the ACD, in particular, should execute concrete and tangible as well as concerted courses of action.

I earnestly believe that this forum is well poised and positioned, which possesses economic and political endowments, tenacity and perspicacity, to address international terrorism with the highest degree of efficacy. The terrorism, as all of us are well aware, not only hinders economic growth and prosperity but also creates a sense of deep instability and unpredictability as well as maims and kills innocent civilians."