The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) was inaugurated in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand, where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for the first time.  The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia.  More specifically, the ACD aims to constitute the missing link in Asia by incorporating every Asian country and building an Asian Community without duplicating other organizations or creating a bloc against others.  A key principle is to consolidate Asian strengths and fortify Asia's competitiveness by maximizing the diversity and rich resources evident in Asia.  The core values of the ACD are positive thinking; informality; voluntarism; non-institutionalization; openness; respect for diversity; the comfort level of member countries; and the evolving nature of the ACD process.

Since its inception, the ACD has rapidly developed in two dimensions, namely, dialogue and projects.  On the dialogue dimension, ACD Ministers have met annually at the ACD Ministerial Meetings in Cha-Am (2002), Chiang Mai (2003), Qingdao (2004), Islamabad (2005) and Doha (2006) to discuss ACD developments, issues of regional cooperation and ways to enhance and solidify Asian unity.  In between, Foreign Ministers also meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September to update each other on the progress of ACD project cooperation, to hold constructive discussions on international issues of concern and to strengthen the 'voice of Asia' in the international arena. 

The beautiful island of Sri Lanka, its name meaning ‘resplendent land’ in Sanskrit - has been known through the ages for its uncompromised lush natural beauty and has been referred in many historical literary works and art across the world as the paradise land of mystique and splendor.

With sun kissed beaches to mountains draped in silken clouds, through fertile fields to thick green forests, with wild life, flora and fauna protected and thriving through the ages, Sri Lanka offers many a view to the discerning traveler.

Rich in culture, heritage and a majestic history disciplined by 2500 years of Buddhism – Sri Lanka true to its maxim is one great land like no other!

Sri Lanka became a member of the ACD in 2003. Sri Lanka as a  member of the ACD Coordinating Group, which includes Iran (future Chair), Kazakhstan (past Chair) and Thailand (Coordinator), hopes to take advantage of the diverse grouping within the ACD, particularly in the sphere of commercial and economic connectivity and cooperation.

Sri Lanka as the Co-Prime Mover for SME sector in the ACD successfully hosted the Asia SME Summit 2009 under the theme “SME Policy Development” from 6^th – 8^th August 2009  in Colombo.

At the 6^th ACD Ministerial Meeting held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka offered to host this prestigious grouping.  Accordingly, at the 7^th ACD Ministerial Meeting held in Astana, Kazakhstan, the member countries decided to hand over the Chair to Sri Lanka to host the 8^th Ministerial Meeting.

In this connection, the Government of Sri Lanka is making all arrangements to host the 8^th ACD Ministerial Meeting Colombo on 15^th October 2009 at the BMICH.  The theme of this year’s Meeting “Spirit of Asia: Global economic recovery and development prospects”.  His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa will inaugurate the Sessions. 

Preparations have been made to hold the Coordinating Group Consultations (past, present & future chair and the coordinator) on 12^th October 2009 and Prime and Co-Prime Mover consultations on 14^th October 2009.

Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins and a city population of 647,100. The Colombo Metropolitan Region, defined by the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara, has an estimated population of 5,648,000, and covers an area of 3,694.20 km².

The name "Colombo", first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port on the river Kelani". It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbour with leafy mango trees".

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), is a convention center located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Built between 1970 and 1973 the convention center was a gift from the People's Republic of China in the memory of Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1956 to 1959.

The construction of the Hall was carried out by joint Sri Lanka and Chinese workforce with considerable portion of the exquisite building materials which have been used in the Hall were imported from China.