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== Asia Cooperation Dialogue ==


The Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was created in 2002 to promote Asian cooperation at a continental level and to integrate separate regional bodies such as the SAARC, ASEAN and Gulf Cooperation Council.
The first idea for the ACD was proposed by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and actively advocated by Sukariart Sathirathai, his deputy. The idea of the ACD was formally put forward during the 34th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hanoi between 23-24 July 2001 and at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Phuket between 20-21 February 2002. Both Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai raised the idea of the ACD with various heads of state and government.

Following are the member countries:

1. Bahrain

2. Bangladesh

3. Bhutan

4. Brunei

5. Cambodia

6. China

7. India

8. Indonesia

9. Iran

10. Japan

11. Kazakhstan

12. Kuwait

13. Kyrgyzstan

14. Republic of Korea

15. Lao PDR

16. Malaysia

17. Mongolia

18. Myanmar

19. Oman

20. Pakistan

21. Philippines

22. Qatar

23. Russia

24. Saudi Arabia

25. Singapore

26. Sri Lanka

27. Tajikistan

28. Thailand

29. United Arab Emirates

30. Uzbekistan

31. Viet Nam

The main objectives as stated by the ACD are as follows:

1. To promote interdependence among Asian countries in all areas of cooperation by identifying Asia's common strengths and opportunities which will help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for Asian people whilst developing a knowledge-based society within Asia and enhancing community and people empowerment;

2. To expand the trade and financial market within Asia and increase the bargaining power of Asian countries in lieu of competition and, in turn, enhance Asia's economic competitiveness in the global market;

3. To serve as the missing link in Asian cooperation by building upon Asia's potentials and strengths through supplementing and complementing existing cooperative frameworks so as to become a viable partner for other regions;

4. To ultimately transform the Asian continent into an Asian Community, capable of interacting with the rest of the world on a more equal footing and contributing more positively towards mutual peace and prosperity.