PUBLISHER ’ S NOTE
This year , we celebrate 30 years of Asian Diver , the first and leading pan-Asian underwater magazine . As history would have it , Asian Diver was founded in 1992 by a dedicated diver , and my friend , Rainer Sigel . Under his leadership , Asian Diver built a strong foundation within the diving community . Leading in Asia , we are proud to carry on that legacy and continue to keep the diving spirit alive . Today , we are proud to be a worldwide publication , shipping to over 48 countries , and continue to strive to protect the oceans and build a stronger , tighter dive community .
Scuba Diver AustralAsia joined the Asian Geographic family in 2001 , but before it was an in-house publication , it started out as Scuba Diver Australia in 1981 . We dipped a toe into the diving industry and never looked back . With the help of Sol Foo , our ex-editor for Asian Geographic Junior , we expanded our family and took over Asian Diver in 2007 . My love for the ocean and diving was deepened and I was determined to set out on more fulfilling journeys . In 2009 , ADEX became a part of the family . With ADEX , Asian Diver , and Scuba Diver AustralAsia under the Asian Geographic umbrella , we founded Underwater3some ( now named Underwater360 ) in 2010 . Over 15 years since we embraced Asian Diver , we are still striving to strengthen the love that we have for diving and the ocean . Soon after , I founded the Historical Diving Society Asia .
While our three branches of diving media focus on the wonders under the waves , Asian Diver ’ s niche lies in connecting the dive community . We produce timeless dive content , which is informative and entertaining , and I believe that it is important to keep the magazine ’ s heritage alive . Pioneering two diving media in Asia since 2007 , it ’ s an honour to bolster my love for the world under the surface for three fulfilling decades .
FeedUp @ UN by the Agricultural and Food Marketing Association ( AFMA ) for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations recognised ADEX as a Sustainable Ocean Ambassador in 2019 , and “ Ocean Citizen ” was launched at ADEX 2019 . This year , we celebrate 30 years of Asian Diver as well as being recognised by the UN as a Sustainable Ocean Ambassador . The dual celebration is a wonderful occasion and we ’ d love to share it with you at our first ADEX show since the start of the pandemic . This year , ADEX Ocean Vision 2022 places the spotlight on the blue whale , the biggest animal in the world .
These accomplishments have encouraged us to remain dedicated to our community and the ocean and we want to do more . My next initiative with Underwater360 is to launch the campaign “ Ocean Citizen / Sustainable Ocean Ambassador ” ( OC + SOA ). Becoming an Ocean Citizen is a prerequisite for being a Sustainable Ocean Ambassador . We are working with FeedUp @ UN by AFMA for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations . Aligning our objectives with the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals , we aim to conceptualise a campaign to champion ocean conservation . Anyone can become an Ocean Citizen as it is a community to connect individuals , industry players and corporate stakeholders in our mission to create an “ ocean without borders ”. The campaign is set to launch during the opening ceremony of the ADEX show this September . We invite everyone to be a part of this revolutionary campaign , to make the ocean a better place by educating , nurturing new divers and helping conserve our marine resources . Join us to celebrate the ocean together as an “ Ocean Citizen ” and become a Sustainable Ocean Ambassador !
One Ocean . One Love .
John Thet
CITIZENS
Publisher , Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd CEO , Asia Dive Expo ( ADEX ) Founder , Underwater360 / Historical Diving Society Asia / Ocean Citizen
2008 – PRESENT
( 15 YEARS AND STILL COUNTING ) ASIAN GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINES PTE LTD Publisher : John Thet
<
2004 – 2007
( 3 YEARS ) MEDIA CORP Publisher : Zita Ong
Cover image @ Aaron Wong