WORKING VISIT OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES FOR THE 15TH ASIA COOPERATION DIALOGUE (ACD) MINISTERIAL MEETING 17 JANUARY 2017
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia, YB Dato' Sri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, will lead Malaysia’s delegation to the 15th Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting, which will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17 January 2017. The Deputy Minister will be accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and experts from the Energy Commission and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority.
The meeting, on the theme “Sustainable Energy”, is expected to focus its discussion on the issue of energy and sustainable development, an important topic of global significance. Ministers will also review the progress of the implementation of decisions taken at the Second ACD Summit that was held in 2016 in Bangkok, and deliberate on the future direction of the ACD.
Energy efficiency is important to Malaysia as our economy grows and the demand for power rises. The Malaysian government has undertaken rigorous efforts to decarbonise its economy and various initiatives have and are being implemented across the broad sectors of the economy towards achieving energy efficiency and sustainable development. These efforts are vital as sustainable energy could also contribute to future economic growth, energy security, and environmental protection.
Ministers of the ACD Member Countries are also expected to adopt three outcome documents, namely, the Concept Paper on Energy, Water and Food Nexus, ACD Energy Action Plan, and the Abu Dhabi Declaration. The three outcome documents are envisaged to reinforce the commitments among the ACD Member States in the field of energy and sustainable development whilst enhancing future cooperation and partnerships among the ACD members.
YB Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs is also scheduled to deliver the country statement at the plenary session on 17 January 2017. Malaysia plays an active role in the ACD and has taken on the role as ACD co-prime mover for the education and human resource development priority pillar. As co-prime mover, Malaysia has established the Asia-e-University in Kuala Lumpur in 2007, which serves to facilitate regional cooperation among member countries, especially in the field of e-education.
YB Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts at the margins of the Summit, to discuss bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
The participation of YB Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs at the meeting reflects Malaysia’s continued commitment to strengthen the ACD as an effective pan-Asian regional forum.
Established in 2002, the ACD is a platform that seeks to consolidate Asian strengths and competitiveness by maximizing on the diverse strengths and rich resources in Asia. The ACD comprises 34 member countries from all five sub-regions of Asia.
PUTRAJAYA
16 January 2017