ACD countries pledge support to combat terrorism

Rafik JALALDEEN

The world is facing the threat of terrorism in different forms, either directly or indirectly. Terrorism is a global issue and the countries representing the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) have pledged support to combat terrorism.

Iran Foreign Affairs Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the ACD countries have common interests and goals. ACD's main aim is to establish an independent Asian society united economically and to encourage a mutual cultural understanding in the region.

"We are trying to be united because Asia has the proper answer to the rising global economic crisis and it has a proper answer to global challenges too. We have to set up some mechanism to meet the challenges faced by the working people in the region," he added. Mottaki said ACD Ministers collectively promoted and reiterated the importance of cooperation in trade, tourism and transportation in Asia.

He said Asia possesses a high potential of trade and economic power in the world and is prepared to face the rising global economic crisis. Its independent method of projecting a large market in the region has a vital role to enhance the economy in the region.

The ACD will provide maximum support to minimize damages caused due to the economic crisis, he said, adding that the Asian workers are hard working. Fifty four percent of the world population is from the Asian continent.

Therefore, the Asian working force can contribute immensely to international development and infrastructure.

Thailand Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya said the countries in the ACD are building block by block collectively to form a united region economically and culturally. "We are trying to build a united Asia that could not be achieved for centuries," he added.

Addressing the media about the outcome of the ACD Ministerial meeting at the BMICH yesterday, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the ACD Ministers pledged to act together to generate strong, sustainable and balanced regional growth to reform the global governance and financial architecture and to shape regional institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

He outlined that during the ACD Ministerial meeting, the Ministers paid attention to the ACD and Investment forum that should be formed to encourage private sector involvement in trade and investment. The ACD should play a role in asserting Asia's regional space, the ACD should look for inclusive global institutions and an economic structure and it should help convening a forum or meeting of banking professionals and financial experts.

Bogollagama asserted that there are grave concerns that the continuing threat of international terrorism in all forms and manifestations has adversely affected the economic and social progress of the ACD region.

"Countries are facing the threat of terrorism either directly or indirectly. Member states pledged to counter this threat and to cooperate in combating this menace," he added.

He observed that climate changes and environmental concerns were raised at the ACD forum.

June 18:

ACD Day

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue Member countries decided to mark June 18 as 'ACD Day'. This was the day that the first ACD Ministerial meeting was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2002.

The next ACD Ministerial meeting will be held in Iran 2010.