Mon Sep 23 21:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Thailand Aims to Revive Asia Cooperation Dialogue, Paetongtarn Set to Lead

**Bangkok, Thailand** – The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), a regional bloc established in 2002 to promote pan-Asian economic integration, is set to be revitalized under Thailand’s leadership. As the ACD prepares for its upcoming Leaders’ Meeting in Doha, Qatar, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the ACD’s founder Thaksin Shinawatra, is poised to lead the effort.

The ACD, despite its expansive membership of 35 nations including key Asian players like China, Japan, and India, has faced criticism for its lack of concrete action and has been dubbed an “Asian talk shop.” However, Thailand believes the ACD has immense potential and is determined to turn it into a powerful force for regional cooperation.

Paetongtarn’s participation in the upcoming Doha meeting will be crucial. As the region’s youngest female prime minister and a representative of the ACD’s founding nation, she has a unique opportunity to inject new energy and direction into the bloc.

Thailand’s leadership will focus on addressing several key areas:

* **Consolidating Asia on its terms:** The ACD seeks to leverage the diversity of its members to build resilience and cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly amid increasing superpower rivalry.
* **Strengthening regional connectivity:** Thailand will push for enhanced maritime and land connectivity initiatives, including the ACD Connect Business Forum to foster greater trade and investment among member nations.
* **Promoting a more balanced global order:** The ACD aims to become a platform for dialogue and cooperation, working with other international organizations to find solutions to global challenges.

The ACD’s upcoming Doha meeting will be a significant event for the bloc. Thailand’s leadership, under the guidance of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is aiming to usher in a new era of Asian collaboration and make the ACD a key player in shaping the Asian century.

**By Kavi Chongkittavorn, veteran journalist on regional affairs**

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