The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka hosted the Eighth Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting (ACD
8) in Colombo, Sri Lanka between 14 -15 October 2009. Following this year’s theme, Spirit of Asia: Global
Economic Recovery and Development Prospects, the Forum’s member countries actively exchanged views and visions on the current economic and financial difficulties. Their efforts included initiatives to strengthen regional economic cooperation through proposed mechanisms such as the ACD Trade and Investment Forum to encourage participation from the private sector. Member countries also took this opportunity to reaffirm their shared values and histories with Thailand suggesting a comprehensive study of the continent?s historical and cultural commonalities and Iran proposing to host the 1st ACD Cultural Forum in the year 2010. Other outcomes of the meeting included, inter alia, Agreement to promote Track II Participation, Welcoming of Sri Lanka as the Coordinator and Co-Prime Mover of the Tourism Cooperation Area, the Revitalization of the High-Level Study Group, and the Designation of 18 June as the “ACD Day.”

Meeting documents