Nepal likely to become 34th ACD member

Kathmandu / March 8: Nepal is likely to become member of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), an Asia-wide cooperation framework as ACD’s 14th ministerial meeting scheduled from March 9-10 in Bangkok, Thailand is expected to endorse Nepal’s membership.

The meeting is expected to endorse Nepal as its 34th member, said a high-level official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ACD is an Asia-wide cooperation framework established in Thailand in June 2002 with the main objectives of promoting interdependence among Asian countries in all areas of cooperation, expanding trade and financial market within Asia and enhancing Asia’s economic competitiveness in the global market and ultimately transforming the Asian continent into an Asian Community. The total 33 countries of the region are members of the ACD.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa is leaving for Bangkok on Wednesday to attend the meeting. DPM Thapa is invited by Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Don Pramudwinai.

Thapa is scheduled to address the meeting on Thursday in capacity of ACD guest chairman, said the ministry. Likewise, Thapa is scheduled to go to New Delhi the same day to attend the World Culture Festival to be organised by the Art of Living International Centre there as a guest. The ministry said that Thapa will return home on Saturday. RSS