Lanka to host Asia Cooperation Dialogue meeting

Chaminda PERERA

Sri Lanka will host the 8th Ministerial meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Colombo from October 14 - 15 on the theme of Spirit of Asia : Global economic recovery and develop prospects.

Foreign Ministers from 31 countries in the Asia region including Russia and Iran will participate in this meeting which will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. According to Foreign Minister Rothitha Bogollagama the ACD represents one-third of the world population and the scheduled Ministerial meeting will boost Sri Lanka's image as a peaceful country after terrorism was completely eradicated by the Government.

"ACD is aimed at building an Asian community based on common interest . It is a platform from where the Asian countries could express their ideas freely," he said.

Sri Lanka which is one of the co-prime movers for SMEs sector in the ACD , hosted the Asian SMEs Summit 2009 under the theme, SME Policy Development, from August 6-8 in Colombo.

Sri Lanka gained the ACD membership in 2003

The ACD has developed two dimensions namely Dialogue and Projects. The ACD Foreign Ministers meet yearly on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York and review the progress of projects while they have interactive dialogue at the ACD Ministerial meeting..

"One of the main objectives of the ACD is to promote interdependency of countries among the Asian region and identify the strengths and opportunities to reduce poverty in the region," he said.