Thirty-five regional Asian organisations and networks, as well as national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with international mandates working on a diverse range of issues in Asia, gathered in Bangkok from 3 to 4 February for the first Asian Consultation on Strategic Action Planning on Advocacy (SAPA). The meeting was co-organised by Asian Partnership for Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHHRA), FOCUS on the Global South, FORUM-ASIA (FA), South East Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA) and Third World Network (TWN).

Thirty-five regional Asian organisations and networks, as well as national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with international mandates working on a diverse range of issues in Asia, gathered in Bangkok from 3 to 4 February for the first Asian Consultation on Strategic Action Planning on Advocacy (SAPA). The meeting was co-organised by Asian Partnership for Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHHRA), FOCUS on the Global South, FORUM-ASIA (FA), South East Asian Committee for Advocacy (SEACA) and Third World Network (TWN).

This meeting was the first of kind where NGO representatives from senior or policy-making levels with a diverse range of expertise gathered in one forum to share information on advocacy and lobbying activities, as well as to strategise for synergised advocacy plans for upcoming international meetings in 2006.

SAPA was convened due to the emerging need to establish coherent and coordinated advocacy plans among regional NGOs and networks as a response to the proliferation of inter-governmental processes in Asia. Such a common platform for information-sharing and pooling of resources will enable NGOs in Asia to overcome duplication of work and enhance the effectiveness of engaging with various inter-governmental bodies that implement decisions on a diverse range of issues.

The participants focused on a variety of fields to reflect the spectrum of issues that are deliberated by inter-governmental bodies, outcomes of which have direct impact on the lives of people in Asia. The areas of expertise thus ranged from the environment and sustainable human development, peace and human security, trade, and debt to globalisation, human rights and democracy.

Also participating in the meeting were NGOs working on specific sectoral issues such as the rights of women, workers, migrants, minority groups and refugees, as well as thematic-oriented NGOs working on issues such as racism, freedom of expression and information and communications technology.

Despite the fact that the meeting served as a forum for information-sharing rather than concrete strategic action planning, the participants forged key partnerships with other regional groups from areas of expertise beyond their usual sphere of engagement. As the first step towards a more action-based SAPA network, a common comprehensive working calendar was developed during the meeting, to be used as a common reference for important and upcoming inter-governmental meetings.

In addition, all of the participants are now connected via a SAPA e-mailing list to ensure continued collaboration and formulation of joint action plans. A SAPA website will also be launched in early March, 2006.

With an open channel to share further ideas, initiatives and action plans via the SAPA e-mailing group, Asian solidarity will continue to be strengthened to better respond to challenges ahead.