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IFRTD Asia and Pacific holds its 2009 Regional Meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal
2009-11-17
The 7th IFRTD Regional Meeting of the Asia and the Pacific was held at Hotel Shanker, in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 9 to 11 September, 2009.
National Forum Group (NFG) representatives from BNFRTD, Bangladesh (Momin Mozibul Haque Shamaji), NFTD, Pakistan (Abdul Shakoor Sindhu), LFRTD, Sri Lanka (Chandra Maliyadde), NFRTD, Nepal (Jun Hada) (All from South Asia), IFGRTD, Indonesia (Danang Parikesit), CNCTP and Cambodia (Heng Kackada) (All from South East Asia) and the Transport Development and Strategic Institute (TDSI) of Vietnam (Vu Hoang Giang), Victor John Cordiero (LCD SARO), India, Achyut Luitel (Practical Action Nepal), Uttam Kumar Saha (Practical Action Bangladesh), Uplai Pannilage (Prcatical Action South Asia), Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe (AIT Bangkok), Prof. Ashoke Sarkar (BITS, Pilani, India) and 9 other delegates as observers from Nepal participated in the meeting. Maria Arce Moreira (IFRTD Executive Secretary) and Ranjith de Silva (IFRTD Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator) organised the meeting.
Mr. Neeraj Shah, President of the NFRTD, Nepal as the host organisation delivered the welcome address and invited Prof. Danang Parikesit (Indonesian representative and the current Chairman of IFRTD Board of Directors and the ECM) to ceremonially take over the chair. Two minutes slilence was observed as a mark of respect of late Qumrul Islam Siddique (past Chairman of BNFRTD, Bangladesh) and Restu Novitarini Djarwoningrum (Vita), past Secretary of IFGRTD, Indonesia).
The meeting proceedings started with updates from National Forum Groups and Institutioanl members. However, some NFGs and Institutional members opted for presenting their main achievements in projects, scaling-up of technologies and advocacy campaigns.
Special presentations were made on Inclusive Transport and access of People with Disabilities, Rural Transport Safety, Evaluation of the Community managed bus service in Sri Lanka and Gender and Transport. Presentations on Rural Road programmes came from Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Day 1 afternoon session was devoted for rthe proposed regional governance structure and the Advisory Commitee to the Regional Coordinator.
An Updates on the prposed membership categorization and new look of the IFRTD web site were given by Maria Arce.
All participants went on a field trip on Day 2 to study how mountainous transport infrastructure (as alternatives to roads and bridges) are being practiced in Nepal. The technologies included Gravity Ropeway, River Crossing Tuin and Trail Bridges.
The meeting concluded on the 11th and the Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal has kindly given an audience to meet the international delegates on the 12th September. Four delegates led by IFRTD Chairman has the great honour of meeting the Hon. Prime Minister and brief hom on IFRTD network activities.The meeting proceedings and presentations are available for download here:
