Kuwait commemorates 23 years of the Arab Cultural Dialogue, determined to advance the forum towards an international organization.
In a significant step towards regional and international collaboration, the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Forum, founded in 2002 by Kuwait with the aim of promoting dialogue and collaboration among various regions of Asia, is poised to evolve into a full-fledged international organisation. This transformation was recently discussed at the ACD summit in Doha and received broad support from member states.
Kuwait is now actively collaborating with other friendly nations to formalise the structure and role of the ACD as an international entity. This transformation is expected to give the ACD greater international weight, especially since its membership includes countries both from Asia and beyond, enhancing its diversity and global influence. The proposal will be a key topic at the upcoming ACD foreign ministers’ meeting in August 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ambassador Al-Mutairi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, affirmed Kuwait's commitment to strengthening global cooperation and constructive dialogue with Asian nations. He lauded the widespread support from the forum's Asian member states for this vision. The ACD's strategic aims focus on deepening regional integration, promoting cooperation and stability, and increasing its international presence.
The ACD's key strategic goals have historically aimed to unite Asia’s diverse cultures and regions through dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared development. The future goals emphasise enhancing openness, cooperation, justice, and win-win outcomes among member states, supporting an inclusive and ASEAN-centered regional architecture, advocating Asian values, building a regional model of security, and expanding its global role.
The ACD Forum's comprehensive strategic goals are built around six key pillars: connectivity and communication, science, technology, and innovation, education and human capital development, interlinked security of food, water, and energy, culture and tourism, and sustainable and inclusive development.
During the 23rd anniversary celebrations of the ACD Forum in Kuwait, Ambassador Al-Mutairi commended Kuwait for hosting the permanent headquarters of the ACD Forum and attributed Kuwait's leadership in the ACD to its strategic vision and commitment to multilateralism in a changing global environment. Al-Mutairi also announced upcoming ministerial-level meetings with regional blocs and secretariats to enhance engagement among member states.
The celebration included the participation of more than twenty embassies from ACD member countries. The exhibition aimed to underscore the shared values and heritage that unite the region, showcasing a vibrant exhibition highlighting the cultural, historical, and civilizational wealth of the Asian continent.
In conclusion, the ACD is on the brink of a significant transformation, with Kuwait leading the initiative. This transformation promises to deepen regional integration, promote cooperation and stability, and increase the ACD's international presence, making it a more influential player in global affairs. The upcoming discussions in Bangkok will be pivotal in determining the timeline and framework for this transformation.
The transformation of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) into an international organization, as led by Kuwait, aligns with the evolving landscape of policy-and-legislation and global politics. This change is expected to elevate the ACD's political influence by broadening its membership and enhancing its role in general-news discussions, especially at the forthcoming ACD foreign ministers’ meeting in 2025.
Kuwait's commitment to strengthening global cooperation, as stated by Ambassador Al-Mutairi, encompasses strategic goals aimed at uniting Asia through dialogue and shared development, ultimately positioning the ACD as a significant player in shaping regional and international policies.
