AFOB Statutes
Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB)
Statutes (Draft)
Article 1: Establishment and Name
Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB) is a non-profit organization established in 2008. Its incorporation was agreed upon by the delegates from Asian countries during the IBS 2008 conference, Oct. 12-17 held in Dalian, China.
Preparative meetings for the formation of AFOB had been held four times prior to its official establishment (April 27th, Songdo Technopark, Incheon, Korea, KSBB 2007 National Spring Meeting; November 5th and 7th, Taipei International Convention Center, Taipei, Taiwan, APBioChEC 2007 Meeting; April 18th, Jeonju City, Korea, KSBB 2008 National Spring Meeting). The delegates from participating Asian countries discussed on the launching of AFOB during the meetings.
The International Federation bears the name Asian Federation of Biotechnology, abbreviated to "AFOB", hereafter referred to as 'The Federation'.
Article 2: Seat of the Federation
As of 2008, the Federation has its registered office in Korea. In principle, the office of the Federation shall be situated at the office of the Secretary General or at other locations designated by the Secretary General.
Article 3: Objectives
The Federation is a non-profit association.
1. The general objective of the Federation is to promote co-operation, on scientific grounds, between the scientists from academia and industry in Asian region, for the general advancement of biotechnology as an interdisciplinary field of research and as a means of bringing the scientific development to industrial level.
2. The Federation works to promote the safe, sustainable and beneficial use of Nature’s resources in life sciences and technologies by supporting sound science as well as the application of engineering and technology.
3. The Federation strives to improve public perceptions and education, to facilitate exchange of people and ideas, and to stimulate innovation and technology transfer with the common goal of advancing biotechnology in
4. The Federation seeks to expand the network of regional scientists and organizations to enhance mobility and to facilitate exchange of skills and ideas among Asian nations.
Article 4: Functions
Towards the fulfillment of its objectives, the Federation undertakes various activities, including the followings:
1. Promoting exchange of knowledge, skills and people between (mainly but not exclusively) academic and industrial research institutions located in Asian region.
2. Complementing and supporting the activities of national and cross national (mainly but not exclusively) Asian societies related to biotechnology.
3. Initiating and promoting (mainly but not exclusively) Asian research collaborations.
4. Supporting training and mobility of students and post-doctoral researchers in biotechnology in
5. Initiating and supporting activities to increase public awareness and acceptance of the beneficial uses of biotechnology.
6. Enhancing and promoting innovation and technology transfer.
7. Stimulating sound discussions on bioethical and socio-economic consequences of the application of new knowledge or technology.
8. Helping to ensure that the public, politicians, non-governmental organizations and the media obtain a fair and balanced view of the benefits, opportunities and risks associated with the use of biotechnology (e.g. by publishing its own journals or other publications or by supporting other parties which publish journals or other publications).
9. Organizing regular congresses, symposia, workshops, scientific events, exhibitions and seminars.
10. Organizing the Asian Congress on Biotechnology (ACB) on a regular basis.
11. Accepting conceptual and administrative tasks with respect to research funding, technology transfer and the improvement of international relations in the areas of AFOB activities.
12. Co-operating with other non-profit societies that support or complement the aims of the Federation according to its Statutes.
13. Co-operating with other relevant international and national organizations.
II. MEMBERSHIP
Article 5: Members
1. The Federation shall consist of Asian societies related to biotechnology. Individual Asian biotechnologists can also be a member of the Federation. By special arrangements, other societies with related interest from inside or outside the Asian area may also be able to join the Federation as a group member on terms to be negotiated with the executive committee of AFOB.
2. Commercial companies and their employees may become members of the AFOB on payment of fees.
3. Other organizations and individuals with interest in biotechnology may become members of the AFOB on payments of dues.
Article 6: Rights of Members
1. Members are entitled to attend the General Assembly and have a right to vote on the cases introduced on the agenda. Group members can also attend the General Assembly at which each delegate has a single vote.
2. All members will be regularly informed of the activities of the Federation.
3. Withdrawal of membership from the Federation may take effect at the end of any calendar year, provided a notice communicating such withdrawal has been given by registered letter to the Federation’s Central Office at least 6 months in advance.
4. The Federation does not control the activities of its members.
5. The Executive Board may propose the dismissal of any member of the Federation, after having given such member the opportunity to answer before the General Assembly to the allegations made by the General Assembly against the member in question. Such decision to dismiss a member requires a two-thirds majority of the representatives present or a simple majority at two consecutive meetings of the General Assembly.
Article 7: Duties of Members
1. Members shall support and assist the objectives of the Federation.
2. Members are obliged to keep the Federation’s Central Office updated about their current address/contact details.
3. Members are obliged to pay their membership fees. Should a member fail to pay the membership fees after two reminders, he or she may be excluded from the Federation at the discretion of the Executive Board.
4. Group members shall pay their annual fees on request of the Federation’s Central Office.
III. THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Article 8: Organization
1. The Federation is composed of the following organizational parts:
a) The General Assembly
b) The Executive Board
c) The Advisory Board
d) The President
e) The Vice-Presidents
f) The Secretary General
g) The Regional Branch Offices
The Executive Board shall appoint a Secretary General and 5 members of Advisory Board.
Each of the officers shall serve for a term of 4 years, but shall be eligible for re-appointment for a further period of four years.
2. All persons who work with the Federation in the organizational parts work on an honorary basis. Expenses that stem from this exercise may be reimbursed by the Federation.
Article 9: The General Assembly
1. The General Assembly is the highest authority of the Federation and also is the forum at which all fundamental matters of relevance to the Federation will be discussed.
All members have the right to vote at the General Assembly. Depending on the Executive Board’s decision and arrangements, electronic votes can be counted valid.
2. The General Assembly deliberates legitimately only if one fifth of its members is present or represented. Resolutions of the General Assembly shall be approved through a majority of the votes of the members present or represented. The President has the casting vote in the event of a tie.
3. The General Assembly elects the “elected members” of the Executive Board.
4. The General Assembly may decide to instruct the Executive Board on present and future strategies, organization and activities of the Federation.
5. The General Assembly elects two internal auditors who will serve until the next General Assembly with the possibility of re-election. The General Assembly approves the financial situation of the Federation, approves major activities of the Federation and gives necessary mandates to the Executive Board members to discharge its duties.
6. The General Assembly approves the Statutes and may dissolve the Federation.
7. Any decisions of the General Assembly require a two thirds majority of the votes present or a simple majority at two consecutive General Assemblies.
8. The ordinary General Assembly takes place every two years. The Executive Board will approve temporarily the accounts and transfer them to the next General Assembly for ratification. An Extraordinary General Assembly may be demanded by one fourth of all members or one third of the Executive Board. If possible, the General Assembly shall meet in conjunction with a major scientific meeting organized by the Federation e.g. the Asian Congress on Biotechnology (ACB).
9. The General Assembly is chaired by the President of the Federation or, in his or her absence, by a Vice-President or in their absence by a member nominated by the Executive Board and elected by the General Assembly on the same day.
Article 10: The Executive Board
1. The Executive Board has the authority to decide on all activities and operations of AFOB except those that explicitly require approval by the General Assembly. For carrying out its activities and operations the Executive Board is assisted by the Federation's Central Office.
2. The Executive Board shall consist of:
Ex officio members
• President
• Vice-Presidents
• Secretary General
• Regional Branch Office Managers
Elected members
• Up to five members from each of the participating countries
Article 11: The Advisory Board
Each of the paticipating countries can recommend up to 10 members of the Advisory Board to the Executive Board. In addition, the Executive Board can appoint 5 members of Advisory Board on its own. Advisory Board plays a role in guiding and advising the activities of the Federation. In its consultative function, the Advisory Board draws the attention of the General Assembly and the Executive Board to matters of importance for Federation activities and also provides advice and guidance on potential future strategic directions of the Federation.
Article 12: The President and Vice-Presidents
The President is elected by the Executive Board and acts as the Chairman of the Executive Board. The President can name up to 10 Vice-Presidents in consultation with the Executive Board. Vice-Presidents assist the activities of the President and assume his or her authority in the cases where the President cannot perform the duties.
Article 13: The Secretary General
1. On behalf of the Federation, the Executive Board will assign one of its members as the Secretary General.
2. Secretary General takes the responsibility of operating the Executive Board according to its decisions. His or her duties include the followings:
a) To prepare, report and follow up on the General Assembly
b) To arrange the preparation of Executive Board meetings and minutes
c) To supervise administrative actions of the Federation on behalf of the Executive Board, President and Vice-Presidents
d) To establish and maintain networks to international organizations
e) To organize the Asian Congress on Biotechnology (ACB)
Article 14: Regional Branch Offices (RBO)
1. Regional Branch Offices (RBOs) augment and support the activities of the Federation in a particular region.
2. Regional Branch Offices may be located at, for example, universities or research institutions, scientific societies, professional management organizations and similar appropriate places.
3. Application to become an RBO is reviewed by the Executive Board which decides upon the creation of a new RBO.
4. Regional Branch Offices are administratively and financially independent from the Federation’s Secretariat. Regional Branch Offices generate their own funds for their operations and work force.