Thailand will host the 14^th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting at the Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bangkok, between 9 – 10 March 2016. On 10 March 2016, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand will preside over the opening ceremony and deliver his remarks. Then H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will chair the meeting where high level delegations from 33 member countries are scheduled to attend.

         The Asia Cooperation Dialogue was established in 2002 with the goal of creating a continent-wide forum for all Asian countries. The forum serves as a venue for positive and candid discussion at the policy-level among member countries as well as to strengthen cooperation among countries in the region. To overcome mutual challenges, the ACD also aims to unite Asian unique strengths and promote regional integration to create “Asian community” in the future.

         The 14^th ACD Ministerial Meeting will be held under the theme of “ACD – The Way Forward”, with the focus on formulating common vision for ACD as well as ways and means to further expand cooperation in the future. During this meeting, it is expected to witness the welcoming of Nepal as the 34^th member of ACD. Also high on the agenda is Thailand’s opportunity to share with ACD members the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy as an approach to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 of the United Nations.

         Thailand is the current chair and coordinator of ACD for the year 2016. This will be the 3^rd ACD Ministerial Meeting held in Thailand. The 1^st ACD Ministerial Meeting was held in Cha-am in 2002 and   the 2^nd ACD Ministerial Meeting was held in Chiang Mai in 2003 respectively.