On 18 July 2025, Mr. Paisan Rupanichkij, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, met with H.E. Mr. Dhan Bahadur Oli, Ambassador of Nepal to Thailand to discuss the Chairmanship of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in 2026.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation to Nepal for its readiness to assume the ACD Chairmanship succeeding Thailand’s tenure, which reflects the growing interest and confidence of Member States in the ACD as a meaningful platform for regional cooperation. He stated that Thailand has consistently advocated a shared sense of ownership among ACD member states. Nepal’s Chairmanship candidacy has already been circulated for the consideration of ACD Member States and if agreeable to all, the handover ceremony will take place at the 20th ACD Ministerial Meeting, which will be the first time Nepal chairs the ACD since its establishment in 2002.

The ACD, inaugurated in 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 interests among Asian countries, as well as to find common solutions to global challenges. This year, Thailand has been chairing the ACD under the theme “Fostering Asia's Sustainable Growth and Future through Innovation.” Thailand will host the ACD Senior Officials’ Meeting, ACD High-level Conference on Global Fiscal and Financial Architecture, and the 20th ACD Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok on 1 – 3 September 2025.