Minutes of the 10th APVU meeting held at Chiangmai on 14th December, 2019

The 10th APVU meeting was held on 14th December, 2019, at The Whole Earth (Address: 88 Sri Donchai Rd, Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai).

Members from the following countries were present:

Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore

Absent countries were:

Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Japan, and New Zealand.

The meeting was called to order at 11am by the President of the APVU, Prof Dr. Prathan Wongwangpaisarn (2018-2019) of Thailand.

The past Presidents Dr. P.Vythilingam, Prof. Dr. Prathan Wongwangpaisarn and Prof. Dr. Maitree Suttajit were also present.

The President Prof. Dr. Prathan Wongwangpaisarn briefed the attendees about the meeting, and thanked Prof. Dr. Maitree Suttajit for his support, and for organising the 2019 APVU Annual General Meeting in Chiangmai, Thailand.

All the members present introduced themselves.

The Secretary General Ms Shara Ng reported to the congress that the APVC (Vegan Cruise) in Hong Kong was postponed due to the uncertainty of the Hong Kong environment.

All members have agreed that, the next APVC meeting will be held in Beijing at the same time as the IVU Vegan Festival - from1st to 2nd November, 2020. The 2020 Vegan Cruise shall commence on 10th December, 2020, instead of 6 September.

The President has proposed that the name - Asia Pacific Vegetarian Union - be changed to - Asia Pacific Vegan Union - and all members have agreed.

The President briefed the members about the role of the South East Asia Vegetarian Union being combined with APVU, and suggested that there will be a Vegan Conference held in Cambodia during 2020 April.

The President briefed the members about the Asia Pacific Vegan Certification Scheme and the Certification Awards. These will be held in Beijing during November 2020.

Ms. Sansan Ching from Hong Kong proposed setting up an education unit for the APVU to facilitate educational activities and she said she would take up the position of coordinator of this work. The meeting agreed to this proposal.

As the current President’s term is coming to an end in December 2019, he opened the floor for the nomination of the New President for the 2019-2021 term.

Dr. P.Vythilingam proposed Mr. Asok Kumar as the President of the APVU for the year 2019-2021. All members have agreed.

Prof Dr. Prathan Wongwangpaisarn proposed Ms. Shara Ng as the Vice-President of the APVU for the year 2019-2021. All members have agreed.

Dr. P.Vythilingam proposed Mr. Raj Kumar as the Secretary General of the APVU for the year 2019-2021. All members have agreed.

Ms Shara Ng proposed Ms. Sansan Ching as the Treasurer of the APVU for the year 2019-2021. All members have agreed.

There being no other nominations, Mr. Asok Kumar was declared as the new President of the APVU for the year 2019-2021.

Ms. Shara Ng was elected as the Vice-President of the APVU for the year 2019-2021.

Mr. Raj Kumar was elected as the Secretary General of the APVU for 2019-2021.

The meeting gave a vote of thanks to Prof. Dr. Prathan Wongwangpaisarn for his many contributions during his term of President in 2017-2019.

APVU Office Bearers 2019-2021

President

Asok Kumar ckashok5@gmail.com of India

Vice President

Shara Ng shara@vegan.hk of Hong Kong, China

Secretary

Raj Kumar rks9009@gmail.com of Malaysia

Treasurer

Sansan Ching tehchi@me.com of Hong Kong, China

There being no other business, the meeting ended at 1:30pm. Group photos were taken. These will be posted in the website and on the Facebook page,

Updated information will be uploaded to the Facebook page and to the APVU website.

The profiles of the Committee Members from various Asia Pacific countries will also be updated.