ADPC Attains Inter-Governmental Status

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is pleased to announce that it has been granted Inter-governmental Organization status by the Royal Thai Government. The official signing of the charter with signatory states Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines took place at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand on February 28, 2005. In his remarks, Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said "Thailand as host country and depository of the ADPC Charter shares the joy of the ADPC on this important occasion. This Charter will now pave a way for the ADPC's transformation into a fully-fledged regional organization with international status, both in terms of governance as well as activities".

Earlier on 29 January 2005, during his inaugural address at the "Ministerial Meeting on Regional Cooperation on Early Warning", in Phuket, the Prime Minister of Thailand announced that his cabinet had approved the grant of international status to ADPC.

To mark this important milestone in the history of ADPC the ceremony was graced by the presence of several dignitaries such as ADPC, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Krasae Chanawongse, and members of the Board of Trustees, Ambassadors of many countries, the United Nations, ADPC staff and well wishers.