Asia Cooperation Dialogue
Photo credit: Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The 9th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue - Iran 2010,” CC BY-ND 2.0.
Asia Cooperation Dialogue
Abbreviation
ACD
Summary
The Asia Cooperation Dialogue is a continent-wide forum that aims to incorporate every Asian country and build an Asian Community without duplicating existing organizations or creating a bloc against others. The ACD strives to consolidate Asian strengths and fortify Asia’s competitiveness by maximizing Asia’s diversity and resources. The ACD operates in two dimensions: dialogue and projects. ACD Ministers meet annually to discuss ACD developments, issues of regional cooperation, and methods to enhance Asian unity. In view of its goals, ACD has encouraged governments to exchange information and intelligence concerning terrorist activities, urged governments to increase the ratification of international counterterrorism instruments, enhanced awareness of potential threats through ‘People Watch’ initiatives, and conducted studies of best crisis management practices in ACD countries.
Members
ACD members include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Website
Entry drafted by PILAC Research Assistant Claire DiMario, with research support from PILAC RA Svitlana Starosvit. Entry last updated: February 2015.