The 16 th ASSA Board Meeting in Vientiane, Lao PDR

The Social Security Organization, Laos, hosted the 16th ASSA Board Meeting from September 29 to October 1, 2005. The meeting was held at Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, which representatives of the 8 member countries as well as observers and distinguished speakers have attended more than 75 people. The event started with a one-day Pre-ASSA Board Meeting on September 29, 2005. 5 international speakers presented interesting topics regarding techniques and experiences on social security arrangements with relation to health. On September 30, 2005, three ASSA member institutions from Indonesia (PT.ASKES), the Philippines (Social Security System), and Lao PDR (Social Security Organization) have presented their good practices. Throughout the meeting, presided by the ASSA chairman, Mrs. Orie Andari Sutadji, the confirmation of minutes of the 15th ASSA Board Meeting has been made, the report of Secretariat Meeting in Kuala Lumpur was given, and some crucial points regarding ASSA activities have been discussed. The debate covered training and comparative studies for the ASSA member institutions, the adaptation the ASSA logo, the set-up of the ASSA Training Committee, the establishment of a permanent ASSA secretariat, and the presentation of the ASSA website to the ASSA Board. One important point of the meeting agenda has been the handover of ASSA Chairmanship from Indonesia to Laos, where Ms. Orie Andari Sutadji, the former ASSA Chairperson presented to Mr. Somnuk Vorasarn, Director General of Lao SSO, the emblem of ASSA as the symbolic transfer of the ASSA Chairmanship for a one-year period to execute ASSA work. At the same time, Mr. Datuk Azlan bin Mohd Zainol has been assigned as New ASSA Vice-Chaiman. and Mr. Padeumphone Sonthany, Deputy Director of Lao SSO, as new ASSA Secretary General.

The Lao SSO provided to all heads of delegation a typical Lao silk shirt to symbolize the solidarity among the ASSA members. After the meeting, some cultural visits have been organized to major historical, cultural, and natural sites in Lao PDR.

In summary, not only technical information and knowledge could be gained from the meeting, but also important cultural values and habits could be exchanged. The next meeting, 17th ASSA Board Meeting will be held from March 6-9, 2006, in Brunei Darussalam.