Kuala Lumpur, 29 November 2008 - The second day of the Southeast Asia National Societies Meeting represented by Leaders of National Societies began with the introduction of delegations from all participating countries which includes Cambodian Red Cross Society, Indonesian Red Cross Society, Malaysian Red Crescent, Myanmar Red Cross Society, The Philippine National Red Cross, Singapore Red Cross Society, The Thai Red Cross Society, Timor-Leste Red Cross Society and Red Cross of Vietnam.

Mr Hisham Harun Hashim, Deputy National Chairman, MRC who chaired the Leaders Meeting then proceeded with the introduction of the Agenda and the presenters Mr Alistair Henley, Head of Asia Pacific Zone, IFRC and Mr Werner Kaspar, Head of ICRC of Regional Delegation in Kuala Lumpur. The opening session touch on topics which focus on key developments in the Movement and auxiliary role of National Societies.

The meeting was adjourned to make way for the Official Opening held at Manhanttan V, Berjaya Times Square & Convention Centre with the presence of all Leaders, Secretaries General, delegates from Southeast Asia. The opening welcoming speech was given by YM Tunku Tan Sri Dato Shahriman bin Tunku Sulaiman, National Chairman of Malaysian Red Crescent, followed by speech from His Excellency, Mr Tadateru Konoe, Vice President of IFRC and then the official opening speech by YB Dato’ Abdul Rahim bin Bakri, Malaysian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his speech, the Deputy Minister stresses on Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Program and the need to empower the community.

The meeting then continued with a paper presented by YBhg Maj Gen Dato Hj Megat Mohd Yusof bin Dato Hj Megat Mahmud (Rtd) on Disaster Management including IDRL, Organizational Development including Youth, Health and Care, IHL and ICRC issues in a closed session amongst SEA National Societies.

Leaders Meeting presses on with the second session chaired by Tn Hj Wan Azhar, Vice Chairman of MRC who introduces the next presenter, Dr Mukesh Kapila, Federation Secretary General’s Special Representative on Strategy 2020 who presented his paper on “Moving Towards Strategy 2020” which stresses on the priorities for Southeast Asian National Societies in terms of Federation Strategy for the next 10 years. Dr Mukesh also touches on the Lessons Learnt from Strategy 2010 and how the National Societies contributed towards 2010 thus far and plans on Strategy 2020.

A summary of findings and recommendations of the meeting of all SEA Leaders was finalized and this concluded the meeting.