Asia Cooperation Dialogue discusses new normal

By Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA (AA) - The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) held a virtual meeting Thursday to discuss the pandemic's impacts, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

The 17th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the ACD was hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu with the theme of The New Normal and Safe and Healthy Tourism, said the sources on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The meeting, held virtually due to the coronavirus outbreak across the globe, discussed the pandemic’s economic and social effects, and exchanged views on the ACD’s joint activities against the challenges.

Following the meeting, the ministers adopted a comprehensive Ankara Declaration on future cooperation perspectives.

Turkey’s presidency for the 2019-2020 term was also extended until September 2021 during the meeting.

The last meeting of the forum was held in Qatar’s capital Doha on May 1, 2019.

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue was established as an intergovernmental forum in 2002 to develop cooperation among Asian countries and improve the competitiveness of Asia at the global level.

With 35 member countries, the forum has the highest number of attendees in Asia.

Its six pillars of cooperation in connectivity -- science, technology and innovation; development of education and human resources; food, energy and water security nexus; culture and tourism; support for comprehensive and sustainable development -- match with Turkey’s Asia Anew initiative.

Turkey launched its Asia Anew initiative in 2019 to improve ties with Asian nations in different areas.

* Contributions and writing by Sena Guler