Against this backdrop, the Inauguration
Ceremony of the BFA was held on Feb 26-27, 2001
in Boao, Hainan province, China. Former leaders
from 26 countries also graced the occasion as
Guests of Honour by addressing the Ceremony.
The BFA was officially launched at the Ceremony.
Declaration of the BFA and Guidelines of the BFA
Charter were adopted during the Ceremony. The
Inauguration was a great success and gained
recognition from the international community.
Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Abdul
Razak delivering a keynote address
a Forum, led by Asians and guided from the
perspectives of Asian interests and views to
provide opportunity to discuss exclusively Asian
issues and enhance co-operation and exchanges
among Asian countries, and between Asian
countries and other parts of the world. Against this
backdrop, a proposal was put forward to establish
an Asian Forum, similar to the World Economic
Forum headquartered in Davos.
The idea, once it was put forward, was warmly
received by the other Asian countries. On Oct 8,
1999, Hu Jintao, Chinese vice-president at the
time, met with Fidel V Ramos and Bob Hawke who
came to China especially for the Asian Forum. After
the briefing by initiators of the proposed forum, Hu
Jintao said that the Chinese Government always
supported and attached importance to multilevel, multi-channel and multi-type of regional
co-operation and dialogue. The establishment
of the Forum would be conducive to promoting
understanding, trust and co-operation among the
countries of the region. The Chinese Government
would study the idea prudently and positively
and would provide all necessary support and cooperation. Meanwhile, Hu Jintao emphasized that
since the recognition, understanding and support
of the related Governments was vital to the
establishment of the Forum, China would wish to
get herself further acquainted with the responses
of other countries on this issue. This was followed
by positive responses from the 25 countries in
Asia.
Organisation Structure
The General Meeting of Members (GMM) is the
ultimate authority of BFA. The GMM should be
held once every calendar year.
The Board of Directors shall be the supreme
executive body of the GMM and shall be
responsible to the GMM. The members of the
Board of Directors shall be elected by a simple
majority of the Full Members at the GMM. A
meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at
least once a year coinciding with the GMM at the
headquarters of BFA.
There shall be a Council of Advisors, consisting
of 26 chief representatives from 26 BFA Initial
Countries. The Council of Advisors shall meet
2F