J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Res. Vol. 29, No. 4: 280–287, August 2003

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Blackwell Science, LtdOxford, UKJOGThe Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research1341-80762003 Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and GynaecologyAugust 2003294Original Article

AOFOG Congress AOFOG Congress

*Special thanks to Prof W.W. Sumpaico and Dr Shahida Zaidi for kindly allowing us to publish the minutes in the

Journal of Obstetricsand Gynaecology Research

and to Ms. Jenny De Guzman for the strenuous task of completing them.

Minutes of the Executive Board, Council and General Assembly Meetings*

Prof Walfrido W. Sumpaico, MDAOFOG Secretary General

September 4–10, 2002, Hotel Grand Ashok, Bangalore, India

1. Welcome by the President of AOFOG

The President called the meeting to order and wel-comed everybody to the meeting.

2. Matters arising from the previous Executive Board meeting held in Orchard Hotel, Singapore were read

2.1 SSR-YGA: Deadline for submission of names forthe SSR-YGA should be strictly observed six (6)months prior to the Congress date.

(Approved)

2.2 2002 Pre-Congress: Though the Board agreed tostill hold the Pre-Congress in Karachi during the meet-ing in Singapore, Dr Zaidi opted to withdraw the bidto host it because of the tension between India andPakistan. Thailand was asked to host it but they werekeener on the 2004 Congress. Sri Lanka was asked alsobut they preferred to host the next SSR MemorialFoundation Seminar on 2003. Chennai, India throughDr Joseph Kurian volunteered to host it.

(Approved)

2.3 Formation of New Committees• Ultrasound – Dr C. Anandakumar• Menopause – Professor Kobchitt Limpaphayom• Endoscopy – Dr Joseph Kurian• Population Dynamics – Professor Biran Affandi• Urogynecology – Professor Tsung-Hsien Su• Constitutional Change Committee (Adhoc)• Nepal Colposcopy (Adhoc)

Professor Sumpaico proposed to the Board that thelast three Past Presidents take care of the Fellowship

Selection Committee; the most senior among themserving as the Chairman.

Professor Ho, seconded by Professor Kobchitt andDr Anandakumar, moved for approval of the minutes.

(Approved by the Executive Board and Council)

3. President’s Report

The President referred to his report, which was circu-lated earlier. The main issue that Professor Siva dis-cussed was about the FIGO meeting that he hadattended last June 28–29, 2002 in Istanbul, Turkey. Inthe said meeting, each country in FIGO was asked towhich of the five (5) groupings they would like to beaffiliated with. Professor Siva presented to the boardthe result of the groupings. He invited attention to thefact that Egypt had chosen to belong to the Africa–Eastern Mediterranean region and that Israel had cho-sen to belong to the European group.

Professor Pandit said that if Israel and Egypt wouldlike to join a group from another region, they shouldresign from AOFOG. They could not be associatedwith two (2) organizations at the same time. ProfessorPandit referred to the decision made by the Federationduring his term as a President (1983–1985) when Egyptwas admitted as a member.

Professor Bishop supported what Professor Panditstated but said that he understood that the regionaliza-tion done by FIGO was merely to group its membersinto regions to facilitate the hosting of FIGO Con-gresses. On the other hand, if it should mean that FIGOmembers would/should be associated with oneregional organization (e.g. European, Africa–Mediter-

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ranean), then Egypt and Israel should resign fromAOFOG.

Dr Tank suggested writing to the two (2) nationalsocieties of Egypt and Israel and asking for an expla-nation why they had decided not to be a part of theAsia–Oceania region. Dr Ekeroma supported DrTank’s suggestion and agreed with Professor Bishop’sstatements.

Dr Sumpaico expressed the need to resolve this issueas Egypt had won the bid to host the 2004 Congress.

Professor Ho informed the Board that Israel has notpaid their dues for more than three (3) years alreadyand that meant their NS could not vote during theGeneral Assembly. Egypt, on the other hand, had paidup to Year 2002.

The Board decided to bring the matter up to theCouncil and give their representatives an opportunityto speak (cf Item # 14).

(Secretary-General to write letters to Egypt and Israel)

4. Treasurer’s Report

4.1 Federation Accounts: The Treasurer referred to hisreport, which was circulated earlier. There was a pos-itive balance in the Federation’s account because of theincome from the AOCOG Singapore 2000. However,there is still a deficit budget since the Federation’sincome mainly comes from the Annual Subscriptiondues of the member countries.

The treasurer informed the Board that as agreed inthe last meeting in Singapore, the Swiss account inHong Kong has been converted to US Dollars.

(Approved)

4.2 Investments: Professor Ho, as agreed in the lastCouncil meeting, looked into the possibility of invest-ing the Federation’s money. Dr Tank submitted areport to him that investing the Federation’s money inIndia would earn 4–5% although the Reserve Bank ofIndia does not permit foreign organizations to putfunds in foreign currency. The Board is also concernedabout the tension between India and Pakistan. Con-sidering these issues, the Treasurer expressed hisapprehension about investing the Federation funds inIndia.

The Treasurer made his own query in Hong Kong,particularly with Bank of America where the Federa-tion’s Fixed account is being maintained. The Bank ofAmerica recommended an investment under the Fran-klin US Government Fund.

At present, the Federation is gaining only one per-cent (1%) of interest with the Fixed Deposit Account.

The US Government Fund is offering an average of 4–5% interest rate per annum. Though, there is always arisk in every investment, Professor Ho was assured bysome of the financial analysts from Hong Kong thatthis investment is safe. He further stated that there isan option for a minimum of 30-day term but a one-timeadministration charge of about four percent (4%) and amanagement fee of about 0.95% will be charged. Con-sidering these charges, it is viable for a long-terminvestment so the Federation could really enjoy theinterest.

Professor Ho summarized the proposal as follows:

1. Long-term Investment with the US GovernmentFund (average of 4%–5%)

2. Maintain the Fixed Deposit Account in Hong Kongearning only more than one percent (1%)

3. Investing the money in India as reported by DrTank

Professor Sumpaico informed the Board that there isalso an account being maintained in the Philippineswith a balance of more than US$120,000.00. Heplanned to transfer US$100,000.00 to the account inHong Kong with a balance of more than US$200,000.00.

Professor Ho suggested to the Board the option toput some of the Federation’s money to the US Govern-ment Fund and still maintain a Fixed Deposit Account.

Dr Pandit supported Professor Ho’s suggestion buthe also suggested investing money in India.

Professor Sumpaico then said that this should bevoted upon in the Council, which subsequentlyapproved the motion to place the federation’s funds inHong Kong.

(Approved by Council and General Assembly)

5. 1st SSR Foundation Workshop

Dr Anandakumar reported that the SSR Foundation,which was inaugurated during the Singapore meetingin July 2000, would hold annual seminars in differentdeveloping countries of the region. The objectivewould be to impart knowledge and to create funds forthe Federation by transferring a part of the Registra-tion fees to the AOFOG account. The Foundation hasbeen registered in Singapore.

In its first project, the Foundation worked with theAEC Educational Group Pty Ltd to help with the mar-keting and setting up of seminars and workshops on aper project basis. He was impressed with the assistancegiven by the AEC Group, which with only three (3)

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VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Bangalore Declaration, 2002

Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG)

“The AOFOG strongly condemns violence agai nst women in all its forms and pledges to end this tragedy:

Violence against women – say no to…

-Childhood marriage -Wife beating -Sexual harassment -Female child labor -Rape -Negative cultural

attitude -Trafficking in

women -Discrimination in

employment -Denial of female

education -Female circumcision -Degrading traditional

practices -Violence from law

enforcement agencies -Female foeticide

“STOP THIS INHUMANITY TO WOMEN”

Around the world at least one women in every three

has been beaten, coerced into sex or undergone

economic abuse. It is gender-based violence as it

evolves from women’s subordinate status

Empowering women is the only way to improve the

dismal state of their reproductive health and achieve

population stabilization all over the world

We, the physicians, paramedics, and NGOs of the

region, have an important role to play and we resolve

to use all our resources to end this tragedy.”

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people in charge had arranged the seminar inSingapore.

He expressed his gratitude to all the 22 speakerswho participated and everybody who attended theworkshop. He also informed the Board that theFoundation took care of the airfare and accommoda-tion of the speakers. He also acknowledged the sup-port and expressed his gratitude to the KoreanSociety.

Based on the feedback received, 75% of attendeessaid it was an excellent workshop.

The SSR Foundation with its inaugural seminar fol-lowed the Federation’s Constitution and contributed25% of the registration fees and 15% of its ExhibitionFees. Intensive ultrasound distant learning programsin OBGYN were also conducted and 25% of its earningwas also remitted to the Federation. A total of US$3175had been remitted to the Federation.

The entire seminar was recorded on 26CDs and isavailable for SG$520. Dr Anandakumar said that theycould cut down the cost if it could be reproduced inother countries (probably India or Philippines).

He hoped that the Inauguration of the SSR MemorialLecture to be given by Professor Bishop during theBangalore Congress would become a part of everyAOFOG Congress and that the Foundation would sup-port future lecturers.

Professor Sumpaico opened for discussion his pro-posal that AOFOG enter into a Memorandum ofAgreement with the Foundation regarding the Regis-tration and Exhibition fees during the SSR MemorialSeminars. With regards to the Intensive Ultrasound, itcould probably be best discussed with the AOFOGUltrasound Committee which Professor Anandaku-mar himself is heading.

Dr Anadakumar informed the Board that for thenext SSR Foundation Seminars, the teaching faculty ofAOFOG could be limited to 4–5. The 22 speakers hehad invited to the first seminar were those who hadbeen close to Emeritus Professor Ratnam.

He also informed the Board that Sri Lanka alreadyvolunteered to host the next SSR Foundation Seminarand it will officially be called AOFOG-SSR FoundationSeminar.

Dr Anandakumar requested Professor Bishop, as the1st SSR Memorial Lecturer, to be in charge of selectingthe next SSR Memorial Lecturer.

Dr Ekeroma congratulated Dr Anandakumar forpushing through with this kind of project.

(Report accepted and Approved by Executive Board andCouncil)

6. Secretary-General’s Report

Professor Sumpaico referred to his report, which wascirculated earlier. He particularly focused on thepreparation of the Administrative Manual for easyreference.

(Deadline: CM 2003)

He reiterated the implementation of the terms of theCouncil Members. He stressed that they should serveon the Council for 2–3 consecutive terms. This wouldallow continuity in dealing with the affairs of the Fed-eration, and also enable the Council members to get toknow each other so that they could select appropriatepeople as Chairpersons of the Standing Committeesand as Board Members. Dr Pandit was asked if it ispossible to put this in the Constitution. He said thatthis was not possible, as each National Society is con-sidered autonomous. The Federation could just pro-mote the advantages of appointing a Council Memberto serve for 2–3 terms rather than putting it in theConstitution.

(Approved)

7. Journal Report

Professor Murata referred to his report, which was cir-culated earlier covering December 2000 – December2001. He reported that there were 365 journals distrib-uted to the Japanese subscribers, of which 345 werecharged a 12 000 yen yearly subscription fee includingmailing costs and 20 were distributed free of charge.The Journal also distributed 2607 overseas subscribersin 19countries, of which 22 were charged a 15000 yenyearly subscription fee including mailing costs and2585 were distributed free of charge.

He also reported that the Journal received 101contributions from 21 countries and he expressed hisconcern in the decreasing number of contributions. Hethinks that the reason for this was because previously(with the University of Tokyo Press) Japanese contrib-utors had to pay a considerable amount of publicationfee. With Blackwell Publishing Asia, contributors onlybore the costs for published pages that exceed 8pages.With this condition, Professor Murata expected toreceive more contributions.

Professor Murata discussed the problem about themailing costs arrears (Table 3 in his report) and heasked for the cooperation of every National Society inthis matter.

Since the Journal tends to have a Clinical Investiga-tion rather than basic investigation, Professor Muratathought it would be more important to publish the

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basic investigations in order to increase citations andindex impact factor.

Professor Murata also presented the NEW cover ofthe Journal with both AOFOG & JSOG getting duerecognition.

Professor Murata shared the good news with theBoard that he had received a letter, which indicatedthat our Journal had been put on an ISI services, andhopefully JOGR could get the impact factor by2004.

Professor Murata informed the Board that the Offi-cial Journal of JSOG, the

Acta Obstetrica et GynecologicaJaponica

, would end its publication this year and he ishoping this will create an increase in the subscriptionof our Journal.

(Report accepted and approved by Council and GeneralAssembly)

Discussions

Professor Sumpaico acknowledged the report and con-gratulated Professor Murata especially for the possibleimpact factor of the Journal. He further suggested dis-cussing in the Council the possibility of asking everyNational Society to encourage their members to submittheir papers to our Journal.

Professor Sumpaico presented a report on the jour-nal distribution to the AOFOG member countries ver-sus the subscription paid so that needed correctionscould be done with regards to the distribution of thejournal.

Dr Pandit said that as far as he could remember, theNational Societies (NS) get a free subscription of theJournal but the NS should shoulder the couriercharges, which will then be responsible for distributingthe Journal to their respective members. Dr Pandit sug-gested drawing out a formula on the free subscriptionthat a Society could get.

Professor Bishop expressed his gratitude to theJapan Society for the support it has been giving to theFederation and he was disturbed to learn that Austra-lia is in arrears of 88000 yen (mailing cost). He recalledthat previously, every member of the National Societyreceived a copy of the Journal but because of the prob-lem with freight fee, the distribution became limited. Itwas then distributed to those who want to have a copy.He suggested that a letter should be written to theNational Society in arrears or their representative tothe Council should do something about the arrears toJOGR.

Dr Alec Ekeroma informed the board of the surveythey have done in RANZCOG and learned thefollowing:

33% do not want to receive the Journal33% want to receive the Journal but do not want to pay

for the freight33% want to receive the Journal and pay for the freight

With the above result, they just distributed the Jour-nal to those who preferred to receive it and pay for thefreight.

Professor Murata then reported that some of theSocieties did not even know why they are receiving theJournal and will return it with a letter saying they arenot subscribing. Professor Murata then told the Boardthat they would send a letter to all the National Societyenquiring whether or not they would like to continuereceiving the Journal. Professor Bishop supported theidea.

Dr Anandakumar informed the Board that someNational Societies could not even afford to distributethe Journal to its members so the Journal just stays inthe Society (e.g. Mongolia, Myanmar, India).

Dr Tank said that in India, they asked the memberwho would like a copy to pay for the posting charges.

Professor Sumpaico suggested that the JOGR’s cir-culation responsibility is to ensure that the Journalreaches the office of each National Society, whoseresponsibility it is in turn to send the journals to itsmembers.

The availability of the Journal to all the developingcountries through the internet was discussed as afuture possibility.

(Suggestions noted)

8. SSR-Young Gynecologist Award (YGA) 2002

Dr Zaidi referred to her report, which was circulatedearlier. She informed the board that she had receivedthe nominations of 39 SSR-YGAs from 15 differentcountries. She also said that SSR-YGAs from PNG andVietnam had been considered though they submittedtheir names after the due date.

She further informed that all the SSR-YGAs wouldbe given a US$300 board and lodging allowance inaddition to free airfares and Registration Fees.

In return, they should present scientific papers,which would be adjudged, by two (2) judges and a rep-resentative from Organon. The two (2) best papersselected would be awarded a cash award by Organonduring the President’s Night and the rest would be

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given a certificate. The SSR-YGAs would also attend aworkshop on Evidence–based Obstetric Practicearranged by the Education Committee headed by Pro-fessor Affandi.

(Approved by the Executive Board and Council)

Dr Tank suggested that there should be a mechanismwhereby the Federation could keep track of theachievements of the past YGAs. In India, a directory ofthe YGAs had been created and other NS should dothis as well, with the update being obtained by the rep-resentatives of the NS on the Council. Another way ofpromoting the YGAs could be to encourage them tosubmit more articles to the Journal.

Professor Sumpaico supported the idea and addedthat the donors would be pleased to know that themoney they had donated had been well spent and itshould also inspire the recently awarded SSR-YGAs.

Professor Sumpaico also informed the Board that the‘tradition’ of the President-Elect being the Coordinatorof the YGAs, which had started with Dr Zaidi, wouldcontinue.

Dr Anandakumar also suggested knowing each ofthe SSR-YGAs field of specialization and giving themthe opportunity to be involved with one of the Feder-ation’s committees.

Dr Anandakumar and Professor Sumpaico also sug-gested that SSR-YGA papers should be prejudged,with the 10 best being selected for presentation duringthe Congress.

Dr Jeffrey Tan (RANZCOG) suggested that YGAsshould also include delegates from developedcountries.

(Approved by Council and General Assembly)

9. SS Ratnam Memorial Oration

Professor Sumpaico informed the Board that the firstSS Ratnam Memorial Lecture would be delivered byProfessor Geoffrey Bishop.

(Suggestion noted)

10. Fellowship

Professor Sumpaico received a report from ProfessorBishop, the Chairman of the Fellowship Committee,submitting the names of Professor Ratna Samil (Indo-nesia) and Professor Wilfred Perera (Sri Lanka) as theFellowship Awardees for the year 2004. These nameswould be presented to the Council for approval. Sub-sequently, Prof Roh (Korea) was also nominated andapproved.

(Motion approved by General Assembly)

11. Posthumous Fellowship

Professor Sumpaico informed the Board that there isno standing rule for this kind of recognition.

(Noted)

12. Federation Publications

Dr Tank suggested that publications by the AOFOGwere a necessity because the textbooks that are avail-able from the western countries are very expensive.Using a publisher from the region would help the Fed-eration reach out to all the members of the NationalSocieties and part of the royalty would be paid to theFederation.

He invited Dr Jitendar P. Vij of Jaypee Brothers todo a presentation for the Executive Board. Dr Jitendarbrought with him samples of medical books that hiscompany had sold. The paper used and the printingwere excellent and the prices very affordable. Heassured the Board that they could distribute thebooks in the 23member countries of the Federationand that Jaypee Brothers will give 15% royalty to theauthor.

Professor Sumpaico appreciated the presentationand informed Dr J Vij that the matter would be broughtup before the Council for approval.

(Approved by Council)

13. 2007 AOFOG Congress, Tokyo, Japan

Professor Sumpaico announced that the AOCOG to beheld in 2006 had been moved to 2007 at the request ofthe Japan Society, which would be hosting it so that itwould coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Fed-eration. The Board had approved this motion duringthe last meeting in Melbourne.

(Approved by Council and General Assembly)

14. 2004 Congress (Egypt)

Considering the present situation in the Middle Eastand the pressing issue regarding FIGO (viz. the volun-tary choice of Egypt to opt for the Mediterraneanregion), Professor Sumpaico asked the Board if theywould like to review the decision of the Council andGeneral Assembly to hold the Congress 2004 in Egypt.He also informed the Board that during the last Boardmeeting in Singapore, April 2002, Thailand had beengiven the option of hosting the Congress should theFederation decide to change the venue, however, a let-ter had been received from the current President of theRoyal Thai College saying that they were not in a posi-tion to host the Congress.

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Professor Sumpaico presented a summary of theNational Societies, which had previously hosted theAOFOG Congresses. He also said that the CongressOrganizers from Brisbane and Adelaide had expressedtheir desire of hosting a Congress. Professor Sumpaicoasked Dr Alec Ekeroma if New Zealand would beinterested but Dr Ekeroma said that there may nothave enough time for preparations, and in any case, amajor conference would be held in that country the fol-lowing year (2003). Based on the report presented, pos-sible hosts could be Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, andSri Lanka.

Dr Anandakumar suggested postponing the Con-gress by one year, and holding it in 2005, instead of2004, in order to give ample time for preparation to thehost National Society.

Both Emeritus Professor Yoon-Seok Chang and DrEkeroma told the Board that if the Congress could bemoved to 2005, they would ask their NS if they wouldlike to host it. Emeritus Professor Chang also told theBoard to consider Korea for 2009 should the GeneralAssembly choose New Zealand for 2005 and vice versa.

Professor Sumpaico asked the NS of Korea and NewZealand to prepare for a short presentation to theGeneral Assembly. (In the subsequent GeneralAssembly meeting, Korea was chosen to host AOCOG2005).

(Approved by General Assembly)

15. Invitation of Foreign Speakers at AOFOG Congresses

Professor Sumpaico opened the discussion by asking ifthere were certain guidelines for inviting foreignspeakers to the AOFOG Congresses. He believed thatthe Federation had competent resource persons in dif-ferent specialties, but felt that it would be more attrac-tive for the Federation to invite Foreign speakers whoexcelled in their field. He mentioned Professor StuartCampbell for Ultrasound and Professor Baha Sibai forpre-eclampsia as some of the examples.

Dr Anandakumar said that Professor Sumpaico’sidea was good but he felt that the category to which thelectures would fall should be seriously considered –plenary lectures, special lectures, etc.; he further saidthat the Federation should promote its own resources.

Professor Kobchitt supported Professor Sumpaico’sidea. She also believed that it would be good to getsome fresh and new ideas from foreign speakers.

Professor Bishop said that in 1981, he was one of theauthors of the ‘Guidelines for the Congress’ of the

Federation. It was decided to get speakers for theCongress from the Asia and Oceania Region becausethey believed that the Federation had world-classspeakers but it should not hold back the ExecutiveBoard or the Scientific Committee from getting foreignspeakers.

Dr Pandit shared the Federation’s past experienceabout foreign speakers. There had been one congress inwhich majority of speakers had been from outside theAsia & Oceania region.

Following this, a decision had been taken to restrictforeign speakers. He suggested that this policy be nowrevised, and in inviting foreign speakers, a ratio of80 : 20 be observed with 80% of the speakers comingfrom the AOFOG region and 20% from outside.

Dr Tank supported Dr Pandit’s suggestion. It wasthen agreed by the Board that foreign speakers couldbe invited to the AOFOG congresses, but the majorityof the speakers would be from the Asia–Oceaniaregion.

(Approved by Executive Board, Council and GeneralAssembly)

16. New Office Bearers (2002–05)

Professor Sumpaico announced the nominations hereceived for the AOFOG’s office bearers from theNational Societies to be passed for approval by theCouncil and General Assembly.

He also presented the table for the number of dele-gates and the number of votes allotted for eachNational Society. All National Societies are entitled totwo (2) votes and some National Societies are entitledfor a maximum of four (4) delegates (Japan/Korea/India/Australia/Philippines/Taiwan).

The members of the Board discussed the proceduresof nomination because they thought that the procedureseemed new to them. Professor Sumpaico informedthem that he just followed what Professor Ratnam haddone before and had not changed the procedure. TheSecretariat first sent a letter addressed to all the Presi-dents of the National Societies asking for nominationsfor the AOFOG office bearers. All the nominationswere then presented to the Executive Board, then toCouncil, and finally to the General Assembly forelection.

The following were elected by the General Assemblyas the federation’s office bearers until 2005:

Incoming President – Dr Shahida ZaidiPresident-Elect – Dr D.K. TankVice-President – Emeritus Professor Y.S. Chang

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Treasurer – Professor Pak-Chung HoSecretary-General – Professor W.W. SumpaicoDeputy Sec-General – Dr C. AnandakumarChairman, Journal – Professor Yuji Murata

The Council and General Assembly also elected thecommittee chairs of the 11 standing committees and 2Ad Hoc Committees. They are:

Prof Y Murata – Journal CommitteeProf J Schenker – Ethics CommitteeProf B Affandi – Population Dynamics CommitteeProf K Limphapayom – Menopause CommitteeProf S Moon– Reproductive Biology CommitteeProf T Su – Urogynecology CommitteeDr S Sharma – Education CommitteeDr A Aziz – Oncology CommitteeDr A Ekeroma – Maternal & Perinatal Health

CommitteeDr J Kurian – Endoscopy CommitteeDr C Anandakumar – Ultrasound CommitteeProf G Bishop – Fellowship Selection CommitteeProf R Pandit – Constituional Change Committee

(Recommended by Executive Board; Approved by Counciland General Assemby)

17. Other Matters

Professor Sumpaico informed the Board that there wasa move to decrease the number of days of the Congress

from 5 days to 3 days. Some of the doctors were in pri-vate practice and could not afford to be away for 5 daysor more.

(Duration of Congress – 4 days)

Professor Sumpaico also opened the nomination forthe Chairman of Scientific Committee for the AOCOG2005 because the assigned Scientific Committee Chair-man for AOCOG 2004, Professor Raman, had filed hisresignation for the position. The KSOG, through EmProf Chang, requested Prof P C Ho (HKG) to be theScientific Committee Chair for 2005.

(Approved by Council and General Assembly)

Professor Murata commented that if the Councilcould already decide on the Scientific Chairman for theCongress in 2007, they could start coordinating things.The JSOG nominated Em Prof Chang to be the Scien-tific Committee Chair for 2007.

(Approved by Council and General Assembly)

18. Adjournment

There being no further items to be discussed the meet-ing was adjourned at 545 p.m.