The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ADC), which commenced in Kuwait City Tuesday, could become the new canvas upon which Asian countries — including those in West Asia — could chalk out an agenda for the rest of the continent.
The main aim of this convention is to promote cooperation and dialogue on issues which include food security, energy, financing and technology. The fact that 32 nations are in attendance — including major economies like China, Japan, India and South Korea — and oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar, in addition to Iran and Russia, should establish the fact that Asian nations are regrouping to endorse their identity by maximising their diversity and rich resources.
The decision to energise an idea which was first formed in 2002, but then went into cold storage for a decade, at a time when West Asia is a global political hot spot as well as a major oil producer, while Asian countries are an economic force, seems appropriate.
The continent needs to assume a stronger identity at a time when power equations are changing. Common solutions to problems should be found and mutual benefits in the field of trade and commerce must be pursued. Europe and the US are facing an economic crisis, therefore remedies to most problems lie in Asia, provided there is transparency among nations, coupled with a clarity of policy.
The dialogue must have a unifying tone irrespective of the presence of political friction among certain nations. The fact that Kuwait is offering to host its headquarters, along with an injection of $300 million (Dh1.1 billion) to help finance development projects in Asian nations, is a sign that West Asia wants to stay in the game. And it should.
Last week, the International Monetary Fund cut its 2012 global economic growth forecast to 3.3 per cent from its July outlook of 3.5 per cent. The key to prosperity and welfare now lies in Asia and Asian countries must signify their intention to be game changers.
