Extracts from the 11th General Conference
Singapore, 1991
The General Conference was held at the National University of Singapore 31st October and 4th November 1991. Dr. Suvit Vibulsresth of Thailand presided. The General conference was attended by Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Thailand, Australia, Iran., Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and UN ESCAP.
The General Conference considered the applications of New Zealand and Singapore as ordinary members and unanimously approved their admission. The General Conference also admitted Switzerland, represented through its Institute of Geodesy, as an Associate Member.
The General Secretary reported about the printing of 3000 copies of the AARS sponsored book "Applications of Remote Sensing in Asia and Oceania" and thanked Mr. Au from Geocarto who published the book. Mr. Au distributed 10 copies of the book to key countries of the region. The General Secretary reported that he had covered the cost of publication of US$30,000.00 from his own funds, and following recoupment of that all profits would go to AARS. He strongly requested that delegates should purchase and promote the sale of the book.
The General Conference was informed about the special session at the ISPRS Congress on "International Technical Co-operation: How to promote remote sensing in developing countries". Professor Murai also informed the meeting about NASDA proposal to co-operate with AARS to organize a workshop on a World Wide Earth Observation Catalogue System and the Japan Association of Remote Sensing 's request to use the name of AARS for an English version of the text book " Remote Sensing Notes".
The General Conference also discussed about the International Space Year and a proposal from NASDA for co-operation from AARS in supporting the Regional Seminar on Tropical Ecosystem. It was agreed that the name of AARS could be used without any financial implications. Representative of UN ESCAP, attending the General Conference, also indicated that it would support the seminar as a joint activity.
Professor Murai was once again unanimously elected as the General Secretary of AARS for another period of two years. While accepting the position again, Professor Murai indicated however that he would not be prepared to stand for a further term, and a modification of statutes be made to allow for a Deputy General Secretary who should gradually pick up the responsbilty of the General Secretary. As a follow up of this suggestion, it was agreed by the General Coference that Dr. Suvit Vibulsresth of Thailand, would henceforth nominally act in the capacity of the Deputy General Secretary of AARS.