Nepal's Dy PM departs for Thailand to attend ACD

Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa left for Thailand on Wednesday to take part in the 14th ministerial meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

Thapa, who is attending Thailand on the invitation of ACD president and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, would address the meeting on Thursday as the guest chairman, reports Kathmandu Post.

It is almost guaranteed that the meeting would endorse Nepal's membership. Nepal will be the 33rd member of the ACD if the two-day meeting beginning today endorses the country's membership.

ACD is an Asia-wide cooperation framework established in Thailand in June 2002 with the main objective of promoting interdependence among the Asian countries in areas of cooperation, expanding trade and financial market within Asia and enhancing Asia's economic competitiveness in the global market.

Thapa is later scheduled to visit New Delhi to attend the World Culture Festival being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living foundation.

Thapa, who will be the chief guest at the event, will return to Kathmandu on Saturday.