DUSHANBE, March 30, 2013, Asia-Plus – The 11th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial meeting that took place in Dushanbe on March 29 resulted in signing of a Dushanbe Declaration. 

The meeting that was held at the Kokhi Somon in Dushanbe reportedly brought together representatives of 32 countries.

According to some media sources, the meeting participants discussed issues related to poverty reduction, public health care, food security, energy, protecting water resources, climate change, preventing natural disasters, training labor forces, social equality and religious harmony.

They reportedly reached a consensus on establishing a temporary ACD Secretariat that will last until the second ACD Summit in 2015, to be sponsored by Kuwait, and also released the Dushanbe Declaration.

The Declaration, in particular, notes that the meeting participants reaffirm the commitment to cooperate in developmental endeavors by building upon Asia''s potentials and strengths through expanding the existing cooperative frameworks.

The participants “acknowledge the significance of regional cooperation as an essential mechanism to accelerate realization of the three pillars of sustainable development, which include social development, economic development and environmental protection, as well as stability in the Asian region with its vast and diverse natural and human resources, rich and historical heritage and economic and social potential.”

The participants also emphasized the need for ACD member nations to work together to meet challenges posed by climate change, enhance measures to promote climate change adaptation, improve natural disaster management, including disaster risk reduction, create conditions for mitigation of the effects of natural disasters and promote disaster risk reduction.  “We consider the establishment of the ACD Coordination Network among the Early Warning Centers in the countries of the region to assist them in facing natural disasters as a necessary measure in providing humanitarian, financial and technological assistance to the affected countries.  For this purpose, we propose that ACD member nations’ experts on natural disasters meet in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, or any other country which is willing to host the meeting to discuss the establishment of the coordination network and make recommendations,” the Declaration says.

The participants also consider green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication as one of the important tools available for achieving sustainable development.   They called upon ACD member nations “to accumulate positive experiences in adopting green economy policies in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication for the voluntary exchanges of best practices as well as capacity-building in the different areas of sustainable development.”

The participants underscore food security and sufficient nutrition to be an important component of sustainable development.  “In view of the predominantly agricultural economy in many Asian countries, we call to intensify dialogue on agricultural policies and practical agricultural techniques and enhance regional cooperation in the area of food security and nutrition, support to the agricultural and rural development sectors, transfer of technologies and exchange of knowledge,” the Declaration notes.

The meeting participants called on all ACD Member States to be alert to the fact that efforts in areas such as alternative energy, without proper consideration of the food supply situation, may have unintended consequences on food security.  They recognize that water is at the core of sustainable development as it is closely linked to a number of key global challenges.  Therefore, the participants reiterated the critical importance of water and sanitation in sustainable development and reaffirm the commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation as well as the development of integrated water resource management, ensuring water recycling, capacity-building against drought, flooding, and disaster reduction as well as rational and sustainable water use.

They reiterated that the ACD is aimed at enhancing energy security and sustainability in the region and called for enhanced support for national initiatives and activities aimed at utilization of renewable energy sources as well as cleaner and energy efficient technologies.

According to the Declaration, the participants also welcomed the offer of Tajikistan to convene the 3rd ACD Energy Forum, the hosting of the International Exhibition “Expo – 2017. Future Energy” in Astana by Kazakhstan and the hosting of a specialized workshop on renewable, clean and sustainable energy, in cooperation with International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi in the 1st quarter of 2014 in the context of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week activities.

The Declaration makes special mention of the proposal by the State of Kuwait for the mobilization of USD 2 billion for an Asian Development Fund and deeply appreciated Kuwait’s pledge of USD 300 million initial contribution.  The participants called on experts to meet to discuss the establishment and implementation of that proposal.

“Kuwait encourages other ACD Member States to make voluntary contribution to the fund,” the Declaration says.

The next ACD Ministerial Meeting is expected to take place in Bahrain this November.