Islamabad, February 09, 2023 (PPI-OT):The China Pakistan Study Center at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a round table on “Development through Connectivity: An Asian Perspective”. Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Secretary General Dr. Pooranchai Danvivathanatha was the keynote speaker of the event. The ceremony was attended by diplomats, intellectuals, students, journalists and people from different walks of life.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director, China Pakistan Study Center introduced the Asia Cooperation Dialogue to the participants. He said that Asia Cooperation Dialogue is an intergovernmental organization that was established in Thailand in June 2002. He added that the Asia Cooperation Dialogue is important as it provides a forum for Asian countries to discuss areas of mutual interest, including peace and development. He added that the organization covers West Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and Northeast Asia.
In his remarks DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mehmood welcomed the Secretary General on his maiden visit to Pakistan and ISSI to this interactive session. He highlighted the key aspects of ACD’s vision as a comprehensive, continental cooperative framework and its emphasis on mutual peace and economic development. He also highlighted the evolution and working mechanisms (dialogues and projects) of ACD as well as Pakistan’s role in promoting the ACD process as a founding member.
He said that Pakistan has become a ‘prime mover’ in terms of connectivity and a ‘co-prime mover’ in terms of culture and tourism. Ambassador Sohail Mehmood emphasized that it is very important to focus on contacts and promote greater people-to-people exchanges. He stressed that ACD’s goal of building an ‘Asian Community’ is laudable and conducive to conflict resolution and greater friendship and cooperation in the continent.
In his remarks, Mr. Aamir Ahmad Atuzai, Director General (East Asia and Pacific), Ministry of External Affairs, appreciated ISSI’s initiative of inviting Secretary General Dr. Puranchai Danvivathana and thanked him for hosting the event. Mr. Atuzai said that Asian countries are suffering from poverty, climate change, food insecurity and various other challenges.
He said that the solution to such unprecedented problems lies in regional connections. Mr. Atuzai argued that Pakistan could serve as a major hub for achieving such connectivity. He added that Pakistan has a consumer economy of over 220 million and has liberalized its visa policy to facilitate connectivity.
In his keynote address on the topic, Secretary General Dr Pooranchai Danvivathana thanked ISSI for hosting him. Dr Pooranchai said that the whole concept of development is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and termed the latter as a blueprint for peace and prosperity.
He added that it is the need of the hour to implement the UN SDGs to achieve sustainable development and protect the environment. He added that countries need to strike a balance between development and environmental protection. He said that ACD has total 35 members and it is promoting effective management of resources including human resources. Connectivity is the key to trade and growth, and depending on the region, includes both physical and non-physical components, argued Dr Pooranchai. He also stressed the importance of bridging the ‘development gap’ and ‘digital divide’.
He emphasized that connectivity reduces economic and social disparities; Dr Pooranchai highlighted that connectivity has great potential to bring peace and prosperity to Asia. He concluded by saying, “Together we share, and together we care.” In his closing remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mehmood, Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI, lauded the efforts of ACD and its Secretary General and emphasized that the future of Asia lies in development through connectivity. The event was moderated by Dr. Talat Shabbir and was followed by a question and answer session.
For more information, contact:
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)
Sector F-5/2, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9202481
Fax: +92-51-9204658
E-mail: strategy@issi.org.pk
Website: http://issi.org.pk/