In his speech at the ACD Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted Qatar's acceptance of the 2019 Asian Platform to develop the objectives of Asian consensus and cooperation, and to develop joint action mechanisms during this period, and promote trade and economic partnerships and enhance the economic competitiveness of Asian countries on world markets. Beside the integration of the Asian countries in various fields and the establishment of partnerships with other regional blocs and organizations, in line with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Since its establishment in 2002, the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) has played a vital role in promoting cooperation and interdependence in all fields and facing the common challenges it faces, in light of the rapid changes in our planet and the common goals of the international community, in the field of development, the promotion of human rights and the maintenance of international peace and security.

He said that the Asian continent has all the potential to push the development of human resources and economic wealth, especially as the economies of many countries of the continent are experiencing rapid growth rates in the past few years.

He stressed that the State of Qatar was honored to host the sixteenth ministerial meeting of the States members of the Forum.

The State of Qatar will host a workshop on education and culture as well as a forum for businessmen, which will contribute to the expansion of trade and financial markets.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Iran for its successful presidency of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in 2018. He thanked the Secretary-General and the Working Group for their keenness to communicate with the members of the Asian Forum Common.