HRH Premier to take part in 2nd ACD Summit

Bangkok, Oct. 9 (BNA): On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa will take part in the Second Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit, held here on October 8-10 under the theme: "One Asia, Diverse Strength". ACD Summit features main sessions in which leaders, prime ministers and heads of the delegations of member states participate, as well as a number of workshops in which financing and banking experts from banks, financial institutions and capital markets take part. "Innovative Financial Connectivity for a Sustainable Asia", "Driving Asian’s Economies with Financial Technologies (FinTech)" and "Financing Infrastructure in Asia" will top the agenda of the summit. HRH the Prime Minister is participating in the key international summit given the importance of ACD as major regional and international forum that provides a platform for exchanging visions, ideas and proposals on a number of economic, social, scientific and media issues in Asia. The Asian gathering also provides an opportunity to discuss ways to expand Asia's trade and financial markets, increase Asian countries' competitive potentials, as well as the mechanisms to build an Asian society that is capable of interacting with the World as a vital partner. The Kingdom of Bahrain has been keen on participating effectively in ACD, whether in summits or ministerial meetings, being one of its founding states on June 18, 2002, alongside 32 countries. Bahrain is also a key contributor to ACD's key cooperation themes, including food, water and energy, communication, science, technology and innovation, education and human resources development, as well as the consolidation of a comprehensive approach for a sustainable development. The kingdom's keenness on participating in such a key regional gathering is in line with its belief that its goals are consistent with the approach on which its foreign policy is based regarding the support of dialogue among international parties, as the best means to promote stability and peace worldwide in the midst of the multiple challenges currently witnessed by many regions in the word, and constitute as serious threat to global security and stability. Bahrain is also taking part in the forum given its importance as a platform to discuss a number of vital topics, and issue recommendations that strengthen cooperation between Asian countries and other regional blocs. The kingdom's vision and stance towards ACD were clarified in His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's keynote speech at the First ACD Summit, held in Kuwait in October 2012. In his speech, delivered on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, HM the King stressed that "the economic security and the prosperous future of the people in the continent is the goal that we seek to achieve and the challenge that we must succeed to overcome, which only major economic entities can achieve and maintain." "The Asian continent enjoys a wealth of riches and natural resources, in addition to being the most populated and widest in area of all continents in the world. For these reasons, it is natural that Asia drives the economic development, and maintains the global economic progress, in particular through the international economic and financial crisis," HM King Hamad added. Bahrain's interest in enhancing cooperation with Asian countries was also reflected in HRH the Prime Minister's participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia, hosted by Thailand in May, 2012. In his speech, which included an in-depth study of the international economic situation, the challenges faced, and a future outlook on ways to fulfill peoples' aspirations for progress and prosperity, HRH Premier stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation among Asian countries, opening up new trade exchange horizons, removing investment-impeding obstacles, stimulating the economy and protecting financial stability in Asian countries. The Kingdom of Bahrain also hosted the 12th ACD Ministerial Meeting on November 23-25, 2013. The meeting issued the "Manama Declaration", which contained 25 articles. In the declaration, the participants expressed strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and called upon all ACD Member States to work together to prevent and suppress terrorist acts, implement effectively the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the United Nations Security Council Resolutions related to combating international terrorism, and continue ongoing efforts to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilizations, with due respect of different religions and cultures that will contribute to the strengthening of the fight against terrorism. The "Manama Declaration" also encouraged ACD Member States to undertake common efforts for continued cooperation and consolidation in the area of sustainable development, and in particular to explore possible areas of cooperation that can effectively utilise Asia’s considerable human, natural and financial resources, and enhance experience and information sharing to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable development. Therefore, HRH the Prime Minister's participation in the ACD Summit proves Bahrain's interest in taking part in various international gatherings, particularly those aiming to consolidate countries' status, defend security and stability, take share experience in various fields, strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, finance, energy. Environment, health and food security.