Bahrain takes over Asian Cooperation Dialogue presidency

Ankara, Nov. 17 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain took over the presidency of the next session of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) for the period from 2021-2022, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and chairman of the current session of the Dialogue, HE. Mevlut Cavusoglu. A number of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of member states participated virtually in the presence of the Secretary-General of ACD, Pornchai Danvivathana. The Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in which he thanked his Turkish counterpart and ACD Secretary-General for their distinguished efforts to ensure the smooth and effective work of the secretariat. He affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's commitment to the goals, roles and principles of the ACD as one of its founding members. He added that the Kingdom of Bahrain's own experience in ensuring and promoting sustainable development demonstrated the importance of effective cooperation with all friends and partners throughout Asia. He also affirmed the importance of setting clear strategic plans and development programmes, as directed by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain seeks to deepen coordination and cooperation with partners in the ACD to achieve common goals. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Turkey, HE. Ibrahim Yousef Al Abdullah, the Chief of Afro-Asian Affairs, HE. Ambassador Fatima Abdullah Al-Dhaen, and the delegation accompanying the Minister of Foreign Affairs.