Kathmandu, March 9

Nepal is all set to get member status of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) an intergovernmental body aiming to promote interdependence among Asian countries during its 14th ministerial meeting being held in Bangkok, from March 9 to 10.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa today left for Bangkok leading a six-member delegation to attend the meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement today, said the agenda of the ministerial meeting includes the decision on Nepal’s membership to the ACD. Nepal had sought membership in August last year.

ACD was inaugurated in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand with the initiative of the 18 founding Asian countries. Now, it has 33 states as members, including Thailand, India, China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and South Korea.

The main objectives of the body includes promoting interdependence among Asian countries in all areas of cooperation; expanding trade and financial market within Asia and enhancing Asia’s economic competitiveness in the global market.

While returning from Bangkok, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Thapa will make a stopover in New Delhi on March 10.

He is scheduled to take part in the World Cultural Festival being organised by the Art of Living Foundation, headed by Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the Indian capital.

He will also address a political session at the festival the Golbal leadership Forum on March 12 before returning home on the very day.