The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Representatives of the National NGO Platforms of 12 Asian countries, in a conference in Bangkok on February 25-26, formed the Asian Coalition for National Platforms of NGOs, a press release said here on Tuesday.

The objective of the coalition is to take coordinated position on various important global issues and to strengthen the non-government dimension in the international diplomacy on such issues.

A six-member interim Steering Board has been elected for 2008 with Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, Chair of NGO Federation (Bangladesh), as convenor and Paresh Tewary, Executive Director of Indian NGO Network (VANI), as the co-convenor.

The countries, which already joined the coalition, included Nepal, Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Japan, Pakistan, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

An interim secretariat will assist the Board in formulating a draft constitution for the coalition as well as in taking the initial steps towards its objects, the release said.