ACD to cement peaceful co-existence in Asia: Karzai
18 October, 2012
KABUL: The Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) could play a significant role in cementing cooperation and peaceful coexistence among different cultures and civilisations in the region, hopes President Hamid Karzai.
Addressing the ACD maiden summit in Kuwait City, Karzai thanked host leadership and members of the forum for supporting Afghanistan's entry, a statement from the Presidential Palace in Kabul said on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the gathering‚ Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah announced an initiative of two billion dollars for financing development projects in non-Arab Asian countries. Kuwait will chip in with $300 million.
The fund will help promote basic infrastructure‚ alleviate poverty and advance healthcare facilities.
The amir called for intensifying efforts to promote investment and trade among member states.
Launched in Thailand in June 2002, the ACD held its inaugural summit yesterday, with 32 nations from the Asian continent in attendance. The summit covered issues related to energy supply, food security, project financing and foreign investment.
In his address, Karzai called the forum's creation a stride toward forging unity among Asian countries. He welcomed the Kuwaiti leader's announcement of the fund as a meaningful step and hoped other members would also contribute to the initiative.
"I firmly believe Afghanistan's membership of ACD will provide a good opportunity for strengthening cooperation with efforts at regional development and prosperity," the president added.
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