UAE Assumes Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Chairmanship from the Kingdom of Thailand

Saturday 24 September 2016

New York - MENA Herald: H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, chaired the annual Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 71st Session of the United Nation General Assembly. This was the UAE’s first time chairing the Asia Cooperation Dialogue since its inception in 2002.

In his opening statement, H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi acknowledged the ACD’s unique convening role as the only such platform in Asia that fosters cooperation amongst members as individual countries and as regional organizations. He called for establishing partnerships with other Asian groups and forums, in order to jointly address the ongoing regional and global challenges facing ACD countries.

“The UAE looks forward to working with the ACD members to explore opportunities for cooperation and create continued robust growth in the Asian market, while protecting the environment.”

H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed the importance of meeting the overall objectives of the 2030 Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change. He reaffirmed the UAE will be leading the work of the ACD to realize the aspirations of the international community by transforming these visions into concrete action.

Stressing the role technologies and innovation play, H.E. Al Zeyoudi said “There has been much advances made in research and development and we would like to see increases in investments, in order to further build the foundation for the prosperity of Asia.”

H.E. Dr. Al Zeyoudi concluded by inviting all ACD members to the 15th ministerial meeting planned for January 2017 under the theme of sustainable energy, which will coincide with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. He outlined proposed plans of the ministerial, which will capitalize on the annual event, which draws more than 30,0000 delegates from around the world and focuses on energy, water and their closely linked sectors, including demonstration of cutting edge technologies.

ACD was established in 2002 to foster cooperation amongst its members to increase the competitiveness of Asia through dialogues and joint projects. There are 34 member-countries.

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