28 Asian nations to discuss key challenges

Doha: Delegates from 28 Asian countries will meet here today to discuss the challenges posed to the continent by poverty, energy insecurity and technological underdevelopment.

The fifth ministerial meeting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue Forum (ACD) will start with a preparatory meeting today to be followed by the official opening and the ministerial meeting tomorrow.

Currently the ACD comprises 28 countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

Russia and Saudi Arabia were admitted at the Fourth ACD Ministerial Meeting in April 2005, during which it was decided that appropriate criteria be established prior to the admission of any future members.

Bargaining power

"The conference opens new horizons for economic reforms and increased economic integration in Asia, which is rich in resources and markets and has a wide range of unexploited opportunities," organisers said in a statement.

The three-day event will also discuss ways to expand the trade and financial market within Asia and increase the bargaining power of Asian countries in lieu of competition and, in turn, enhance Asia's economic competitiveness in the global market.

The forum also aims at supplementing and complementing existing cooperative frameworks so as to become a viable partner for other regions.

The ACD was inaugurated in June 2002 in Thailand, which is also the forum's coordinator.