H.E. Mr. Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting in Tehran, the Islamic Republic of Iran on 24 June 2024. The meeting endorsed Thailand’s proposal to chair the ACD in 2025, and adopted 3 important documents: (1) Tehran Declaration, (2) Rules and Procedures of the ACD, and (3) Guiding Principles for the Functioning of the ACD Secretariat.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also delivered a statement at the meeting reiterating the significance of ACD in steering the future of Asia and the importance of cooperation between Member states to foster an inclusive, prosperous, and wealthy Asia. He also expressed Thailand’s intention to drive forward ACD during Thailand’s 2025 Chairmanship with initiatives such as organizing of meetings in formal and retreat formats and a thematic conference on global architecture as well as the establishment of ACD fund. Last but not least, he proposed to enhance collaboration between ACD and other international organizations.
The ACD, inaugurated in 2002 by Thailand, currently consists of 35 Member States and is a pan-Asia cooperation and policy dialogue forum aimed at promoting understanding, mutual trust, and mutual interest among Asian countries, as well as finding common solutions to global challenges. (MFA)