Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Asian Bond Market Development Initiative

The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) started in June 2002, as Foreign Ministers from the original 18 member countries initiated an informal non-institutional forum to enhance cooperation within Asia. One focus of the ACD member economies, which has grown to 28, is on finance. Asian bond market development is the primary initiative under ACD financial cooperation.

With Thailand as prime mover, the Asian Bond Market Development Initiative under ACD aims to provide political support and improve public awareness for Asian bond market development. It will build on work already done by other forums. During the 2nd Ministerial Meeting in June 2003, ACD Ministers adopted the Chiang Mai Declaration on Asian Bond Market Development. Collaborative work on the initiative continues. Several meetings have been organized by the Working Group on Financial Cooperation, which serves as the primary venue for experts to interact, discuss, and exchange views on issues crucial to promoting Asian bond market development - including demand, supply, and market infrastructure. In its Declaration on Asia Cooperation, adopted at the 3rd ACD Ministerial Meeting in June 2004, ACD members reiterated commitments under the Chiang Mai Declaration, including the establishment of an Asian Bond Fund to invest in local currency denominated bonds.