Mr. Chairman    

I would like to thank Thailand for hosting this important meeting. We welcome the new chair, UAE. Nepal is pleased to be part of ACD forum.

Mr. Chairman

Asia is not only the largest continent with vast potentials but also the world’s most dynamic region. Having said this, it is, however, disheartening to note that poverty still remains a significant problem in the region. We understand that poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. Poverty eradication must, therefore, be placed at the forefront of our agenda and be addressed collectively with our concerted efforts.

The region is replete with diverse resource endowments, offering tremendous potentials of cooperation in the region. We should promote our respective resource potentials for our benefits. A specific area of immense importance in this regard is the energy sector. We expect that the15^th ACD Ministerial Meeting to be held in Abu Dhabi next year with thematic focus on sustainable energy will come up with doable regional energy cooperation plan.

Cooperation in connectivity has great potential to transform socio-economic outlook of the region and can become a game changer in our development landscape. We strongly view that intra-regional connectivity would enhance productive capacity of our economies.

Our region has unique identity with the existence of ancient culture and civilizations from time immemorial. Through effective cooperation, this valuable treasure can be harnessed for tourism promotion and cultural development.

Special needs of LDCs and LLDCs deserve our due priority. Special support measures to enhance their capacity and to provide a level playing field in trade and investment would greatly facilitate their regional integration.

Mr. Chairman

Agenda 2030 including the SDGs provide a framework for promoting inclusive, equitable and sustainable development at the regional level. Through our constructive and collaborative efforts, the region will be able to attain SDGs by the set timeframe.

In conclusion Mr. Chairman, we express readiness to work together closely and constructively with ACD member countries. We express our full commitment to the principles, values and objectives of this forum, and Nepal will continue to engage in the future activities/programs of the ACD. We look forward to meeting again in the 2^nd ACD Summit to be held in Bangkok next month.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman