Doha / Information Office / May 01

The 16th Ministerial Meeting of the Member States of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), under the chairmanship of the State of Qatar, began here today.

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani opened the meeting by saying that the meeting is taking place when the world is undergoing complex changes and developments at all political, economic and financial spheres, stressing the need to deepen cooperation among Asian countries to meet the challenges of the future.

He pointed out that the Asian continent constitutes an influential proportion in this world, stressing the need to upgrade the level of relations and cooperation among all countries of the Asian continent in various fields in order to achieve the desired joint integration at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

His Excellency pointed to the need to address the challenges of the future by deepening and intensifying ties of cooperation and creating healthy environments to build healthy and balanced relations between the countries based on respect for international legitimacy and on the proper resolution of disputes in a manner that guarantees justice, strengthens mutual trust and achieves real partnership through more effective implementation mechanisms in line with the ACD vision 2030.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the ACD, since its inception on 23 June 2001 and the launch of its ministerial meetings in 2002 and its first term in 2012, has proved beyond any doubt that it is a vital mechanism for cooperation in the development of the Asian continent.

His Excellency expressed his full confidence that the integration of the course of the previous ministerial meetings will provide an opportunity to deepen and strengthen existing cooperation in all fields and help to open up new horizons of cooperation, expressing Qatar's pride in hosting this important meeting and affirming its determination to do its best for its success through developing existing cooperation, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation as a cornerstone for the stability and security of the Asian continent to realize the hopes and aspirations of its peoples to realize the desired development.

"We in the State of Qatar appreciate our relationship with the Asian countries with which we have long-standing historical relations that transcend the material interests and immediate benefits," he said, adding the State of Qatar supports the main objectives of the ACD initiative, which include strengthening inter-relations among Member States, coordinating political positions, strengthening cooperation in various fields and achieving common interests.

In this context, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reiterated Qatar's support for Member States' proposals related to the 20 fields of cooperation, particularly in the areas of energy, energy security, poverty alleviation, agriculture, transport, biotechnology, environment, tourism and e-education, adding that it encourages all efforts that promote joint action under the umbrella of the ACD Secretariat General.

His Excellency pointed out that the economies of the Asian countries in recent years have witnessed increasing growth rates, which provide the opportunity for further cooperation among the countries of the continent, pointing out that any situation of tension or instability in any geographical region of this continent will negatively affect all other regions, leading to slower growth rates and development programs. 

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said although the countries of the continent have taken concrete steps to achieve some ambitions, there is still other aspirations that require hard work to achieve them. "We have every opportunity to achieve the aspirations of our peoples because Asia possesses natural and human resources and occupies an outstanding geographical location."

His Excellency stressed that consultation and cooperation in the political field are an important factor in the relations between the Asian countries, but economic and trade cooperation is the cornerstone in the development of these relations, prosperity, economy and sustainable development of these countries and their peoples.

In this regard, he stressed Qatar's long-standing and growing policy of cooperation with all Asian countries in various fields to promote and deepen trade and economic partnerships and enhance the economic competitiveness of Asian countries in world markets, especially as the Asian continent has all the potential to better develop human resources and economic resources, which are elements of the success of the process of economic integration.

His Excellency pointed out that the Business Forum to be held on the sidelines of this meeting will be an important platform for presenting distinguished experiences, visions, ideas and experiences of investors, entrepreneurs and experts in the fields of economy and trade, which will open new horizons for mutual cooperation, expansion of trade and financial markets and increase the competitive power of the Asian countries with the rest of the world.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the phenomenon of terrorism and extremism, stressing that it has become a source of danger to all, adding that the State of Qatar condemns terrorism, extremism and violence in all their forms, regardless of their motives, and is involved in all regional and international efforts to combat terrorism.

He also reiterated that there is no religion that calls for terrorism, and that all religions call for noble values, tolerance, cooperation and constructive dialogue for the benefit of human society.

HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reiterated Qatar's condemnation of the bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka last April.

In another context, His Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar believes that education and culture are essential pillars for the development and growth of peoples and for building a bright future for future generations and paying great attention to them, pointing out, in this regard, that Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development hosted an educational workshop in cooperation with the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Qatar last March, which witnessed a remarkable attendance from educational and academic elites. The Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, in cooperation with the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, celebrated in January the first edition of International Day of Education, he added.

His Excellency also announced that Qatar will organize a cultural workshop in September, under its chairmanship of the ACD. "We look forward to this workshop as an important occasion to introduce the long-standing cultures of all member countries, especially that the Asian countries have a rich history and a rich culture, and we in the State of Qatar upholds the cultural heritage and we seek to consolidate it in the minds of generations."

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar's aspiration to cooperate and coordinate with the members of the forum, hoping that this session will bring more joint gains. The goal of Asian consensus and cooperation and the development of mechanisms of joint action among the countries of the continent will be a priority during the presidency, His Excellency added.

His Excellency also announced that the State of Qatar will host the ACD Summit in 2020, hoping that "this meeting will achieve its objectives of meeting the aspirations of our peoples and our common hopes".