The theme of the conference — Exchanges, Cooperation and Development — is not only the most appropriate but also represents the gateway to the success of our collective endeavour. It is an axiomatic truth, which is deduced from the traditional Chinese wisdom, that exchanges foster cooperation and cooperation promotes development. In this wide world where distances have been marginalized by technology, communication between far-away lands becomes easy and less time-consuming. Consequently, exchanges that are sine qua non of effective cooperation have now got easy access to nations. The interdependent world, as we live in today, witnesses growing multi-modal cooperation among nations, rich and poor, to their mutual advantage.

Similarly, the nature and mode of development have now assumed a new dimension and urgency in the present uni-polar world. That the widening gap between the rich and the poor of the world needs to be arrested and reversed has been recognized and accepted as such since long with deep concern by all. In spite of huge protestations, mere lip service has been rendered by rich nations to honour their commitment and mitigate the situation. The world divided between the North and the South has undergone no changes in its fundamental character nor in relative imbalance.

However, so far as Asia is concerned, one observes a silver lining around the dark clouds. This has been made possible by countries like China, Japan, South Korea and such other affluent nations and due to their benevolent policy of extending cooperation to their less resourceful neighbours in the region. Bangladesh being a least developed country welcomes their generous policy and avowed interest in promoting development of a balanced world, at least in the Asian region.

That is why this conference is not only relevant but significant. The leaders of Asia, though all of them are not present here, are imbued with a vision of mobilizing their people in their close-knit geographical area, marked with the spirit of understanding, cooperation and friendship in order to develop a common identity and a sense of purpose. Laudable attempts have been made to foster regional cooperation by setting up institutions like the ASEAN and SAARC. Also, the concept of sub-regional groupings like the BIMSTEC and the Kunming Initiative constitute stepping stones to realize the over-all vision of the founding fathers of this Conference. Whereas all these regional and sub-regional groupings are toiling hard to develop fruitful cooperation in diverse fields, the Conference of Asian Political Parties may, therefore, act as a catalyst and regard itself as its veritable Apex body.

We represent here most of the major political parties of Asia, which is a melting pot of people of diverse religion, culture, ethnic origin and political affiliation. As opposing political parties of one country are able to assemble here on a single platform, so can the nations inimical to one another employ this forum in a bid to reduce differences, promote understanding and even resolve disputes.

The question of regional security is a matter of paramount importance for the people of the Asian continent. The security perception of all states in Asia evidently is not identical. The nature and extent of threat to big and resourceful nations are at variance with those of the smaller ones. It is not easy to carry out threats to big and powerful nations, since they can retaliate strongly, even at the risk of self-annihilation, thereby posing as natural deterrent to one another. But the fear syndrome of smaller states, who are more vulnerable and possess neither effective means nor adequate armory to defend themselves, is more acute. They have to depend upon friends and the world community.

The strong and the mighty have always clobbered the weak and the poor. The history is replete with such incidents. This has happened within a nation state, among a group of countries and in the world at large. Within our large continent, there exists many such instances of armed conflict, forcible occupation and human degradation. The Conference of Asian Political Parties may, therefore, provide an avenue for pre-empting or redressing such a situation, as the case may be.

In recent times also the adage has continued to prove right and cases of the strong attacking and humiliating the weak and helpless peoples are not uncommon. These call for united and concerted action of the people to resist aggression. Asia has been perennially facing such dangers. Here lies the priority and utility of holding such a Conference. Our deliberations will indicate to us the right direction in which to proceed, individually or collectively, to ward off dangers.

Economic growth and social progress are closely interlinked. In this world veering towards a globalization process of economic, commercial, financial and even political integration of nations, rich and poor, weak and strong, our leaders are exploring the possibility of equitable distribution of material benefits among the human race. The mechanism, as we have noticed, involves continuing hassle and strong bargaining between different nations of special interest groups during the process of negotiation. The success, however, will depend upon the acceptance of a mode and standard, which should be equally applicable to all.

One of the most outstanding and urgent issues of today is terrorism. No activates designed to promote political economic and social progress can be undertaken without peace and security both at home or in the region.

We, in Bangladesh, pledge to remain united in countering and combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We are firmly determined to protect the security and safety of our people at all cost. We, as well, extend our hands to our regional friends in preparing and implementing actions to root out terrorism.