Statutes

Asian Geographical Association

Abbreviated to “AGA”, international association

December 7, 2018

Guangzhou, China

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON

ESTABLISHING THE ASIAN GEOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION

In response to the challenges faced by Asian countries concerning resources, environment, climate change, natural hazards, urbanization and food security etc., more than 20 geographical organizations from Asia are gathered in Guangzhou to co-found and establish the Asian Geographical Association with the aim of promoting sustainable development across the continent. To enhance the communication and cooperation among geographers in Asia, we hereby reach an agreement as follows:

Article 1.

The name of the association shall be the “Asian Geographical Association”. The Association is an international, non-governmental, non-political, non-profit scientific organization. The official abbreviation of the association is AGA. The working language of the AGA is English.

Article 2.

The main objectives of the AGA are:

1. to stimulate the development of geography in Asia;

2. to advance research and educational activities in all fields of geography in Asia;

3. to promote the dissemination of knowledge of geography in education, business and governmental organizations across Asia;

4. to improve communication and facilitate cooperation among institutions in member countries.

Article 3.

The AGA shall achieve its objectives by:

1. convening a biennial conference (Asian Conference on Geography, abbreviated to ACG);

2. promoting the establishment of both regional and thematic working groups, and the organization of appropriate meetings and activities, research and field programs;

3. publishing and disseminating scholarly research results in the AGA's affiliated journal, Asian Geographer, hosted by the Hong Kong Geographical Association, Hong Kong SAR, China; 

4. exchanging information through its member institutions, newsletters, publications and official website (to be constructe;

5. co-operating with national and international organizations whose aims are complementary to those of the AGA; and

6. encouraging the participation of geographers in Asia in the work of relevant international organizations on the basis of equal opportunities.

Article 4.

Membership of the AGA shall be by countries or territories through “National Scientific Members", each of which carries full voting rights. Countries wishing to join the AGA must submit to the Secretary documentation showing the existence of a bona fide National Scientific Member, its mailing address and the names of its officers. A National Scientific Member shall be a relevant scientific institution, association of geographers or geographical society in Asian countries or regions. Each National Scientific Member is entitled to only one vote at the Council Meeting or by e-ballot.

Article 5.

The AGA shall be served by an Executive Committee consisting of eight members, including the President, six Vice Presidents, and a Secretary & Treasurer. All five regions of Asia, comprising East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and West Asia shall be represented in the Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for a term of four years in any post. Each of them may be re-elected for one more term only. The Executive Committee shall meet once per year, at suitable times and locations during or between ACGs. Members of the Executive Committee shall be nominated and elected by the National Scientific Members during the Council Meeting or through e-ballot. Voting National Scientific members should be in good financial standing. Election of members of the Executive Committee shall be decided by a simple majority of votes cast by at least one half of the voting representatives of, or their agents as duly designated and authorized by, the National Scientific Members present at the Council Meeting.

Article 6.

The AGA shall be administered by a Council, for which the Executive Committee is responsible. The Council shall consist of the voting representative of each National Scientific Member and members of the Executive Committee. The Council shall be presided over by the President of the AGA or, in case of the President’s incapacity to attend, by one of the Vice-Presidents designated by the Executive Committee. The Council shall meet once every other year during the ACG. Decisions by the Council shall be by a simple majority of the votes cast by at least one half of the Council members, or their agents as duly designated and authorized by the National Scientific Members, present at the Council Meeting.

Article 7.

This Memorandum of Understanding on establishing the AGA is hereby entered into and signed on December 7, 2018, in Guangzhou, PR China. This Memorandum is made in English and is signed by the representatives of the founding National Scientific Members of the AGA.

The Statutes of the Asian Geographical Association were officially approved by the AGA Council in Beijing (2019). The soft copy signed by the AGA founders can be found here↓↓↓.