Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD): Executive Summary

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was inaugurated in June 2002 in Cha-Am , Thailand , where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for the first time.  The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia . More specifically, the ACD aims to constitute the missing link in Asia by incorporating every Asian country and building an Asian Community without duplicating other organizations or creating a bloc against others. A key principle is to consolidate Asian strengths and fortify Asia's competitiveness by maximizing on the diversity and rich resources evident in Asia .  The core values of the ACD are informal, non-institutionalized, and evolving whilst focusing on positive thinking and comfort level.

        Since its inception, the ACD has rapidly developed in two dimensions, namely, dialogue and projects.  On the dialogue dimension , ACD Ministers have met annually at the ACD Ministerial Meetings in Cha-Am (2002), Chiang Mai (2003), Qingdao (2004) and Islamabad (2005) to discuss ACD developments, issues of regional cooperation and ways to enhance and solidify Asian unity.  In between, Foreign Ministers also meet at the ACD Breakfast or High Tea Meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September to update each other on the progress of ACD project cooperation, to hold constructive discussions on international issues of concern and to strengthen the 'voice of Asia' in the international arena.

        On the projects dimension , currently, there are 20 countries that are prime movers in 20 areas of cooperation, such as energy security, agriculture, biotechnology, tourism, poverty alleviation, IT development, e-education and financial cooperation.  There have been 20 activities under 12 areas to date.

        At the community level , Thailand hosted the First ACD Think Tanks Symposium in December 2004 and is currently establishing an ACD Think Tank Network by compiling a list of academic institutions, development networks and research groups nominated by ACD countries to serve as the academic arm of ACD.  The objectives are to conduct in-depth study and support the development of ACD and facilitate prime mover projects.

       Currently the ACD comprises 28 countries : Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, with Russia and Saudi Arabia recently admitted at the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting in April 2005, during which it was decided that appropriate criteria be established prior to the admission of any future members.

     At the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad , Ministers endorsed the "Guidelines for Granting the Status of ACD Partner for Development," which is aimed at engaging non-ACD countries and organizations in ACD cooperation so that the ACD remains outward-looking.  Thailand 's offer to host the First ACD Summit was welcomed by the Meeting, the timing of which will be discussed at a later date.  Ministers further discussed regional affairs, including reform of the UN, and affirmed that the next UN Secretary-General should come from Asia .  Ministers also agreed to concentrate their discussion on issues of common interest for Asia , e.g., energy and science and technology at their next Meeting.  The Islamabad Declaration was adopted at the Meeting, which reflects the discussion and affirmation of ACD countries towards the future direction of the ACD.

       The Fifth and Sixth ACD Ministerial Meetings will be held in Qatar and the Republic of Korea in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

1.  Background

The idea of an Asia Cooperation Dialogue - ACD - was initiated by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and was first raised during the First International Conference of Asian Political Parties held in Manila between 17-20 September 2000 by Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, then Deputy Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, on behalf of his Party Leader, Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, who suggested that Asia as a continent should have its own forum to discuss Asia-wide cooperation. Afterwards, the idea of the ACD was formally put forward during the 34th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi between 23-24 July 2001 and at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Phuket between 20-21 February 2002. Both Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai raised the idea of the ACD with various heads of state and government and foreign ministers and made various statements and speeches, receiving broad support and helpful comments and suggestions.

As a result, the First ACD Ministerial Meeting was held between 18-19 June 2002 in Cha-Am , Thailand . This first Meeting was an historic and successful event that brought together countries representing the sub-regions of Asia and provided a venue where Asian countries can freely discuss issues of common interest and put forward measures to enhance mutual cooperation in all areas. Ministers were enthusiastic in expressing their support for the ACD, and in creating a formidable synergy within Asia . Indeed, they agreed that the ACD represented a forum that can consolidate political will among Asian Governments and offer opportunities for them to develop common approaches to positive issues.

The ACD currently comprises 28 countries from East to West Asia and is the first forum ever that aims to eventually encompass all countries in Asia .

The main objectives of the ACD are as follows:

1)  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;
2)  To 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;
3)  To serve as the missing link of Asia 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;
4)   To 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.

The core values agreed upon at the Meeting are an important and unique aspect of the ACD. The ACD is meant to serve as the missing link of Asia while constituting an informal and non-institutionalized forum for Asian Foreign Ministers to regularly exchange views on issues of mutual interest. The ACD is an incremental and evolving process whilst maintaining a top-down characteristic and emphasizing positive thinking, inclusiveness and the comfort level of all participants.

At the Cha-Am Meeting, Ministers agreed to develop two dimensions of the ACD, namely, dialogue and project s. The dialogue dimension is aimed at promoting interaction and the participation of ACD Ministers and Government officials. A continuous dialogue is seen as essential in maintaining a constant rapport, in particular between ACD policy makers. On the projects dimension, countries are encouraged to volunteer to become 'prime movers' in areas of cooperation of their interest and to develop each project to the advantage of Asian countries.

2.  Dialogue Dimension

Several ACD inter-sessional and follow-up meetings were organized in order to keep ACD member countries updated and conduct close consultations among the ACD Coordinator and member countries, including the ACD Senior Officials Trips to ACD Capitals .  Furthermore, ACD Ambassadorial Retreats have been held in Bangkok in July 2002, December 2002, June 2003 and June 2004, chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and in November 2004, February 2005 and September 2005, chaired by the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand. 

In between the annual Ministerial Meetings, ACD Breakfast Meetings (in September 2002, 2003 and 2005) or High Tea Meetings (in September 2004) are held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly where ACD Foreign Ministers update each other on the progress of ACD project cooperation, hold constructive discussions on international issues of concern and strengthen the 'voice of Asia' in the international arena.  

 2.1   Second ACD Ministerial Meeting, 2003, Chiang Mai

The Second ACD Ministerial Meeting was held between 21-22 June 2003 in Chiang Mai , Thailand , with active participation from the 18 founding member countries. The Meeting was a considerable success and effectively symbolized the solidarity of Asia . The participants agreed on the importance of strengthening closer cooperation through the ACD framework, which is highly regarded as a fundamental channel to boost mutual benefits on the basis of regional diversity and existing potentials.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hosted the dinner in honour of ACD Ministers on 21 June 2003, during which Ministers exchanged views on ACD cooperation projects development. In particular, ACD Ministers expressed their appreciation of the ACD initiative and the concrete developments made in the past year. They also showed strong support for the initiative of the Prime Minister of Thailand in developing an Asian bond market. The Prime Minister also envisioned the future direction of the ACD process as including, for example, the development of an Asian credit-rating agency, an Asian-denominated currency and an Asian fund management institution as well as cooperation in other areas, such as bilateral free trade area agreements, tourism, aviation, energy and food security, as part of creating a closer Asia-wide alliance.

During the Retreat chaired by Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, ACD countries updated each other on the progress of the ACD in both the dialogue and projects dimensions, which included 18 areas of cooperation, 15 concept papers already circulated and the successful convening of three Working Group Meetings. The Meeting emphasized the importance of these cooperation projects within the ACD, their value-added to the strength of the group, the uniqueness of each individual project as well as the close following-up of each sectoral meeting to generate a true concrete interest for ACD members. Also discussed were the adoption of the Chiang Mai Declaration, the admission of new members ( Kazakhstan , Sri Lanka , Oman and Kuwait ), and the future direction of the ACD. Also, it was agreed that China be the host of the third ACD Ministerial Meeting in 2004 and that Thailand continued to act as ACD Coordinator until 2004.

At the closing ceremony of the Meeting, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced the adoption of the Chiang Mai Declaration on Asian Bond Market Development and welcomed the four new member countries to the ACD (Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Oman and Kuwait), all of whom would be able to participate in ACD activities.

2.2  Third ACD Ministerial Meeting, 2004, Qingdao

China played host to the Third ACD Ministerial Meeting between 21-22 June 2004 in Qingdao , Shandong Province. On 21 June 2004, the Saranrom Institute of Foreign Affairs (SIFA), in cooperation with the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) and the Network of East Asian Think Tanks (NEAT), co-organized the “ACD High-Level Seminar on Asian Cooperation and Development.” The Seminar was divided into 4 sections, namely, 1) Building Asia's competitiveness through complementarities and collective efforts across the region; 2) Promoting public-private partnership in Asia; 3) Energy security and strategy in Asia ; and 4) Common agricultural policy. This High-Level Seminar was the first academic activity held within the framework of the ACD and provided useful inputs for the Third ACD Ministerial Meeting that was successfully held the following day.

On 22 June 2004, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand and Premier Wen Jiabao of China delivered keynote speeches at the Opening Session of the Third ACD Ministerial Meeting. The Third ACD Ministerial Meeting, chaired by Mr. Li Zhaoxing, China 's Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed various issues of current affairs, reviewed the progress of project activities and laid down the future path of the ACD. Also, Ministers unanimously agreed that Pakistan be the next host of the ACD Ministerial Meeting in 2005 and Qatar in 2006. Furthermore, Ministers admitted new members to the ACD family, namely, Iran , Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates .  The successful application of Bhutan was, however, postponed at Bhutan 's request although ACD member countries voiced no objection to the inclusion of Bhutan in the ACD.

In addition, ACD Ministers adopted the Declaration on Asia Cooperation and the Qingdao Initiative. The former document provides a guideline for future cooperation in all fields among ACD countries for mutual peace and prosperity of Asia . The latter document focuses on issues of energy security through cooperation in energy-related fields, for instance, infrastructure development, exchange of information, joint exploration, alternative and renewable energies and human resource development.

2.3  Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting, 2005, Islamabad

Pakistan hosted the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting between 5-6 April 2005 in Islamabad .  On 5 April 2005, Pakistan organized the "ACD High-Level Seminar on Economic Cooperation" during which several issues and concerns were discussed; for example, the role of the ACD in building an Asian Community; challenges of globalization for Asia, such as energy security, poverty, financial cooperation; the establishment of an ACD Agricultural and Agro-based Industrial Council; promoting the role of the Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank; trade and investment promotion in Asia.

On 6 April 2005, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan , Premier Wen Jiabao of China , and Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai of Thailand delivered keynote addresses at the Inaugural Ceremony of the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting, which was chaired by Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri.  The Meeting endorsed the "Guidelines for Granting the Status of ACD Partner for Development," which is aimed at engaging non-ACD countries and organizations in ACD cooperation.  The Meeting admitted the Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia as the newest members of the ACD.  Qatar 's and the Republic of Korea 's offers to host the Fifth and Sixth ACD Ministerial Meetings in 2006 and 2007, respectively, were also accepted by the Meeting. Kazakhstan reiterated its offer to host the Seventh ACD Ministerial Meeting in 2008, as first proposed during the ACD Ambassadorial Retreat in November 2004. Thailand 's offer to host the First ACD Summit was welcomed by the Meeting, the timing of which will be later discussed.  Ministers further discussed issues of regional affairs, including reform of the UN and affirmed that the next UN Secretary-General should come from Asia .

ACD Ministers also adopted the Islamabad Declaration and the Islamabad Initiative . The former document reflects the discussion and affirmation of ACD countries towards the future direction of the ACD whilst the latter reflected the proposals on economic cooperation in Asia of the academic experts that attended the High-Level Seminar.

3.  Projects Dimension

A number of ACD countries have expressed interest and volunteered to become prime movers in the area of cooperation that best matches their expertise and interests. For practical reasons, project cooperation will proceed on a voluntary basis and need not require a consensus from all ACD countries.

3.1  Asian Bond and Financial Cooperation

Another important development is Thailand 's initiative on a study and setting up of an Asian Bond. There are currently 5 different frameworks that deal with the issue of Asian Bond, namely, APEC and ASEAN+3 (securitization and credit guarantee), Executives' Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks or EMEAP (Asian Bond Fund), ASEM (research on the potential of an Asian Bond market and a Eurobond market) and ACD (Asian Bond Market Development).

Under the ACD framework, Thailand set up a Working Group on Financial Cooperation in June 2003 with a view to introducing the project on the Asian Bond. The Working Group Meeting was held on 12 May 2003 in Bangkok . It was aimed at drafting the Chiang Mai Declaration on Asian Bond Market Development, which was adopted with the political blessing of ACD Ministers at the 2nd ACD Ministerial Retreat on 22 June 2003. ACD became a "missing link" as the only forum to announce the political support of Asian countries on the development of an Asian bond market. Such political impetus will help increase the credibility of the bond and expedite the bond development process in the region.

At the Second ACD Ministerial Retreat, Ministers offered full support for the development of a regional bond market, and approved the essential role of the Working Group as the primary mechanism in the provision of a channel for experts in this field to interact, discuss and exchange views on the Asian Bond Market.

India has prepared a technical paper entitled "Designing Products for the Asian Bond Fund." At the ACD High Tea Meeting in New York , the paper was circulated and the Foreign Minister of India introduced the paper to the Meeting.

To carry forward the momentum of the Asian Bond Market Development, Thailand hosted 2 consecutive meetings in order to promote both the demand and supply sides of the Asian bond market. First, an ACD Special Experts' Group Meeting was held on 27 March 2004 in Bangkok . The meeting provided an arena where experts from both public and private sectors exchanged views to seek appropriate policy recommendations to further develop the Asian bond market, particularly the demand side. A mutual view was reached at this Special Experts' Group Meeting that there was a need to seriously undertake relevant work to promote the supply of Asian bonds denominated in Asian currencies.

Subsequently, the “ACD Informal Meeting on Promoting Supply of Asian Bonds” was held by Thailand on 1 May 2004 in Bangkok . Participants to the Meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of each ACD member country. The Meeting recognized the need to create sufficient supply of bonds by regularly issuing investment-grade, local currency denominated bonds at different maturities to create benchmark yield curves. The Meeting also recognized the need to find ways and means to have these bonds traded actively across countries with ample liquidity in the region and the world.

3.2  Prime Movers and Areas of Cooperation

At present, many countries have proposed to be prime movers in 20 areas of cooperation as follows

At present, 16 concept papers have already been circulated by prime movers, namely:

1)  Energy Security Strategy by Bahrain and Indonesia;
2)  Rehabilitation of Working Children of Asia by Bangladesh;
3)  Micro Credit and Job Opportunities in Rural Areas by Cambodia;
4)  Agricultural Cooperation by China;
5)  Establishment of ACD Biotechnology Consortium by India;
6)  Environmental Education by Japan;
7)  Strengthening Legal Infrastructure by Japan;
8)  IT Cooperation by Korea;
9)  E-Education by Malaysia;
10)  Establishment of Asian Institute of Standards (AIS) by Pakistan;
11)  Cooperation in Energy by the Philippines;
12)  SME Cooperation by Singapore;
13)  Tourism by Thailand;
14)  Asian (Regional) Bond Market Development by Thailand;
15)  Poverty Alleviation by Vietnam;
16)  Poverty Alleviation: Cambodia's Experience by Cambodia

Bangladesh hosted a seminar on "Rehabilitation of Working Children of Asia" between 11-14 March 2003 in Dhaka in which participants had a great opportunity to exchange their experiences on solving the problem of working children in their respective countries. The Meeting also emphasized the need for closer cooperation between government sectors and NGOs of ACD countries in combating such a problem and in conducting poverty alleviation activities.

Thailand hosted the First ACD Working Group on Financial Cooperation to discuss Asian bond market development on 12 May 2003 in Bangkok . There were financial experts from all ACD member countries, particularly those from the ministries of finance and central banks. In addition, between 22-24 May 2003, Thailand hosted the first ACD Tourism Business Forum (ACD TBF) in Phuket in which representatives from both public and private tourism agencies participated. The forum discussed current issues of concern within the tourism industry, i.e. intra-regional tourism promotion initiatives, safety and security within the region, HRD, and the development of tourism SMEs. Recently, Thailand hosted the Second ACD TBF during 18-20 July 2004 in Chiang Mai in which representatives from governments, the private sector and academics from ACD member countries attended. At the meeting, participants followed up on joint actions in four cooperative areas of tourism agreed at the First ACD TBF. They also had a constructive discussion on energy saving and investment promotion in the tourism industry. The Second ACD TBF came to a successful conclusion with participants adopting the Chiang Mai Initiatives on Tourism.

Singapore hosted a Dialogue Session with SME Promotion Agencies of ACD Countries between 15-16 July 2003 in Singapore . The Meeting discussed various SME-related issues, such as the structure, problems as well as ways and means to support and strengthen SMEs of ACD countries.

India hosted the Consultative Meeting of ACD on Biotechnology between 6 - 7 October 2003 in New Delhi . The meeting discussed various issues related to biotechnology: Asian Regional Needs and Priorities, Capacity Building Issues and Options, Regional Biosafety Considerations, and Intellectual Property Rights & Technology Access, Transfer and Commercialization. The Meeting made several recommendations, including the establishment of an ACD Biotechnology Consortium.

Bahrain hosted the first ACD Working Group on Energy Security on 13 January 2004 in Manama . The meeting exchanged views on a wide range of energy-related issues: energy balance, potential of energy resources and technology, energy infrastructure, energy pricing, energy policy and energy problems. The Meeting agreed upon a set of recommendations to enhance Asian cooperation in the energy sector.   

Malaysia hosted the first ACD Workshop on e-Education on 29-30 April 2004 in Kuala Lumpur .  The Meeting discussed four main issues concerning development and cooperation on e-education and open and distance learning (ODL) between ACD countries, namely, policy, technology, human capacity building and knowledge sharing.  The Meeting made four sets of recommendations which include the setting-up of an ACD Consultative e-Education Committee and a regional e-education center.

The Philippines hosted the Second ACD Working Group meeting on Energy Security on 19-20 May 2004 in Magati. The Meeting reaffirmed the recommendations agreed upon during the First ACD WG Meeting in Bahrain and put forward additional recommendations which supplement those from the first meeting. The Meeting agreed to the significance of continuous dialogue among member countries towards the establishment of an Energy Forum under the ACD framework to advance the agenda of ACD countries on energy development.  

Japan hosted the Workshop on Strengthening Legal Infrastructure on 21 May 2004 in Tokyo . The meeting agreed to have small expert meetings in selective legal areas in order to move forward this project.  Japan also hosted the Workshop on Environmental Education on 7-8 June 2004 in Tokyo .

China hosted the Workshop for ACD Agricultural Ministers on 22-23 May 2004 in Beijing . The Meeting adopted the Joint Initiative of the ACD Workshop for Agricultural Ministers which prioritized agricultural areas in which ACD countries will strengthen their cooperation, namely, development policy, practical technology, sustainable development as well as rural development and poverty alleviation.  Shortly thereafter, China played host to the ACD Workshop on Asian Rice Development on 23-25 September 2004 in Changsha , Hunan Province, as a follow-up activity of the Workshop for ACD Agricultural Ministers.  The Workshop provided a forum for agricultural professionals to strengthen the dialogue on rice development strategies, and exchange and share the latest rice-related research results among each other.  On 10-12 January 2005, China hosted the ACD Agricultural Policies Forum in Beijing , attended by 18 member countries.  The Meeting exchanged views and experiences on agricultural policies as practiced by each country, and it was agreed that each country will become an agricultural mover for a specialized product based on their advantages, and that future policies will promote trade of agricultural products amongst member countries. Between 15-21 August 2005, China organized a training course on Agricultural Biotechnologies of ACD to promote dialogue among ACD member countries on rural development strategies and cooperation in the area of biotechnology. Participants in the training course were able to exchange and share the latest research and technology in the area of agricultural biotechnology.

Pakistan hosted the Conceptual Framework for Institutional Cooperation in the Field of Standards among ACD Countries on 31 May-1 June 2004 in Karachi . The Meeting agreed on a set of recommendations, including the establishment of ACD Mirror Committees of relevant International Technical Committees to pool services of ACD experts, enhance their close collaboration and forge a common position on standards-related matters in international fora. In addition, the Meeting agreed to set up linkages of national standards websites with the ACD website.

Vietnam hosted the ACD Seminar on “Poverty Reduction: Experience of Vietnam and Other Countries” on 10-11 June 2004. 

4.  ACD Activities

4.1  A Workshop on Trade Facilitation and the WTO was organized by the Institute for International Trade and Development (ITD), in conjunction with UNESCAP, in which officials from 15 ACD countries participated.

4.2  Boao Forum for Asia - Tourism Conference
Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, as ACD Coordinator, was invited as one of the co-chairpersons of the organizing committee of the Boao Forum for Asia - Tourism Conference, held between 17-20 November 2002 in Guilin , PRC. He was also chairman of the plenary session, which included speakers from the World Tourism Organization and the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Guilin Declaration recognized the importance and need of partnership between the ACD and the BFA, with the ACD as track I and the BFA as track II.

4.3  International Conference on "Building a New Asia: Towards an Asian Economic Community" : Ambassador Manaspas Xuto, Executive Director of the ITD made a presentation on "The Relevance of Asia Cooperation Dialogue and the Asian Bond" at the International Conference on "Building a New Asia: Towards an Asian Economic Community" held on 11 March 2003 in New Delhi. This Conference was an international academic forum organized by the Delhi-based Research and Information System for the Non-Aligned and other Developing Countries (RIS). The presentation by Ambassador Manaspas helped raise awareness of the academic community on the value and progress of the ACD and the Asian bond concept. 

4.4  Nikkei Shimbun's Annual Conference
The Nikkei Shimbun organized its annual international seminar on the "Future of  Asia" in Tokyo on 5-6 June 2003. On this occasion, the Nikkei Shimbun invited Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to give a speech on the ACD and participate in the Asian Leaders' Roundtable on the theme "Genesis of a New Asian Order" along with Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines and Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto of Japan .

4.5  Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2004
Dr. Sorajak Kasemsuvan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, as the representative of the Royal Thai Government and the ACD Coordinator, attended the BFA Annual Conference 2004 between 24-25 April 2004 in Boao, Hainan Province . On this occasion, Dr. Kasemsuvan participated in the Informal Meeting for Heads of Asia's Regional/Sub-regional Organizations, along with the heads of the BFA, Northeast Asia Economic Conference Organizing Committee, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and UNDP Tumen Secretariat. He updated the participants and the audience, including the press, on the development of the ACD and exchanged views with the heads of other organizations on ways and means to enhance their frequent communications and to promote future cooperation.

5.  Future Geographical Coverage

On the issue of ACD geographical coverage, a number of countries have indicated their interest in participating in the ACD. As Coordinator, Thailand has been in close consultations with existing ACD participants so as to ensure that the inclusion of new members will increase a certain level of equal representation of each sub-region of the Asian continent in ACD, while preserving the comfort level of the current ACD countries.

At the Second ACD Meeting in Chiang Mai on 22 June 2003, ACD Ministers accepted the admission of Kazakhstan , Sri Lanka , Oman and Kuwait into the ACD process. Likewise, ACD Ministers approved the applications to the ACD of Iran, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates at the Third ACD Meeting in Qingdao on 22 June 2004. New member countries can participate in ACD activities organized after the ACD Ministerial Meeting that they are admitted, and their Foreign Ministers will be invited to attend the ACD Ministerial Meeting in the following year.  In addition, a positive decision was also made at the Third ACD Ministerial Meeting on the application to the ACD of Bhutan.  However, at the request of Bhutan for its need to complete domestic formalities, the inclusion of Bhutan was deferred until the ACD Breakfast Meeting on 27 September 2004, during which the said Meeting confirmed the status of Bhutan as full member of the ACD, and Bhutan formally participated in the ACD process at the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad .

At the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting, ACD Ministers approved the applications of Russia and Saudi Arabia to join the ACD, making a total of 28 current members.  Both countries will formally participate in the Fifth ACD Ministerial Meeting to be held in Qatar in 2006.  The Meeting also agreed that appropriate criteria will be determined in regards to future expansion in membership.

6.  ACD Think Tanks Network

Thailand , as ACD Coordinator, is currently compiling a list of academic institutions, development networks and research groups in ACD countries to serve as the academic arm of ACD. The objectives are to conduct in-depth study and research, and work in partnership with the designated think tanks of other ACD countries to support the development of the ACD and facilitate prime mover projects. It is hoped that this academic network will contribute to the richness and diversity of relations between Asian sectors and, in collaboration with the government sector, develop our pool of knowledge and bring Asia closer together.

On 15-17 December 2004, Thailand  successfully hosted the First ACD Think Tanks Symposium under the theme of "Towards Asian Dynamism: The Potentials of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue."  The event was attended by 36 participants including those from the ACD listed think tanks.  Exchanges of views were made on various issues, such as energy cooperation, biotechnology, economic and financial cooperation in Asia and human resource development.  The Symposium proposed action in two areas, namely, the creation of an "energy security community" to promote cooperation between energy supplying and energy consuming countries in the region; and the establishment of an " ACD HRD Center ."

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Updated September 2005