Minister Mahat stresses concerted efforts to prove Asia's potential
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Sharan Mahat said collective and concerted efforts among Asian nations were significant to prove the continent's potential.
Addressing the second Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit Meeting in Bangkok of Thailand today, the leader of Nepali delegation said that Asia was endowed with rich natural as well as human resources.
"Foreign Minister underlined the importance of connectivity in all modes; road and rail networks, air links, waterways and transmission ways as the key enabler to connect the countries of Asia, especially the landlocked countries like Nepal," the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok informed in a press statement this evening.
Mahat also noted the role being played by migrant workers in connecting peoples and societies in Asia and emphasised that their rights, safety and security must be guaranteed, recognising their contribution to economic growth and development in both origin and recipient countries, according to the statement.
He had pointed out some challenges Asia was facing today including poverty, terrorism, economic inequality and natural disasters and called for concerted efforts of the Member States to overcome them.
"Highlighting that mountainous countries like Nepal are highly vulnerable to climate change, he called for special measures to help them overcome such vulnerabilities and ensure sustainable development."
The second ACD Summit was inaugurated by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha amid the presence of representatives of 34 ACD member states.
Meanwhile, the Summit concluded today adopting three Outcome Documents, ACD Vision for Asia Cooperation 2030, Bangkok Declaration along with ACD Blue Print 2017-2021 and ACD Statement on Reigniting Growth through Partnerships for Connectivity, the statement informed.
The members of the Nepali delegation to the Summit included Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and Nepali Ambassador to Thailand Khaga Nath Adhikari among senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok.
