Thailand will host the 2^nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit (2^nd ACD Summit) on 8-10 October 2016, in Bangkok.

                       Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) is an Asian regional cooperation framework initiated by Thailand in 2002 with the aim to connect the countries in Asia and to build an Asian community. Policymakers from all ACD member states participate annually in discussions and exchanges
of ideas on regional cooperation, which will enhance understanding and trust among members, as well as consolidate strengths and fortify competitiveness of the member countries. With 18 founding members at its inception, ACD have expanded and now constitutes 34 members from all sub-regions in Asia. Nepal is the newest ACD member state (March 2016).

                        The 2^nd ACD Summit is organized under the theme “One Asia, Diverse Strengths”.  As the host of this Summit, Thailand expects to boost confidence among Asian community, as well as to promote Thailand’s creative role as the initiator of the ACD and the Chairman of G77 in 2016. Thailand will engage all member countries in discussions on cooperative frameworks under the 6 pillars of ACD which will ultimately lead ACD to the achievement of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UNSDGs). The ACD’s 6 pillars of cooperation include (1) connectivity; (2) science, technology, and innovation; (3) education and human resource development; (4) food, energy, and water security; (5) culture and tourism, and (6) promotion of inclusive growth and sustainable development.

                         Thailand, as country coordinator in the area of sustainable development of ACD, will encourage all ACD member states in advocating sustainable development as a tool to eradicate the inequality both in the sub-regional and regional level. Thailand will also share experiences and practices in adapting “Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP)” as one of the ways and means to achieve the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

                          In this Summit, heads of delegates will have the opportunity to discuss openly and creatively, matters of mutual concern and will use this forum to encourage all ACD member states to utilize the strength of the Asian diversity in driving the capability of all Asian countries to balance the global economy. They also expect to eradicate the inequality among sub-regions in Asia. Importantly, all member states will share the vision which aims to achieve the foundation of the Asian Community in 2030. There will be 2 outcome documents of this ACD Summit which are 1) Bangkok Declaration, and 2) ACD Vision for Asia Cooperation 2030.

                         Moreover, Thailand has also encouraged ACD member states to enhance cooperation with the private sector. On 9 October 2016, Thailand will host “ACD Connect Business Forum 2016” with the theme “Innovative Financial Connectivity for a Sustainable Asia”, where businessmen, entrepreneurs and representatives from business sectors in ACD member countries will discuss two main issues namely 1) Financing Technology and 2) Financing Infrastructure. Afterwards, representatives from business sector will present the outcome and proposal from this meeting to heads of delegates at the ACD Summit on 10 October 2016.