"To facilitate and coordinate the implementation of applied geoscience programmes in East and Southeast Asia in order to contribute to economic development and an improved quality of life within the region."

60th CCOP Steering Committee Meeting, 26-28 March 2013 in Ubon Ratchathani


The 60th CCOP Steering Committee (SC) Meeting was held at the Sunee Grand Hotel, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The Meeting was attended by delegates of the following Member Countries (MC):  CAMBODIA, CHINA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, LAO PDR, MALAYSIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, TIMOR-LESTE and VIETNAM.  Also present were Ms Franca  Schwarz,  Chairperson of the Advisory Group (AG), Dr Yoshihiko Shimazaki, CCOP Honorary Advisor, Mr Holger Bietz from the Global CCS Institute (Australia) as Observer and the Director and staff of the CCOP Technical Secretariat (CCOP TS).

At the Opening Ceremony of the meeting, welcoming remarks were made by the following: (a) Mr Suttinun Boonmee, Vice-Governor of Ubon Ratchathani Province;  (b) Permanent Representative of Thailand to CCOP, Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand, Mr.  Praneet Roibang;  and (c) Vice-Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources, Thailand, Dr. Pithaya Pookaman.  The Chairman of the CCOP Steering Committee Meeting, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to CCOP and Head of the Geological Agency of Indonesia, Dr R. Sukhyar opened the 60th CCOP Steering Committee Meeting.

Following the opening ceremony, is a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CCOP and the Global CCS Institute (GCCSI), Australia.  The MoU was signed by Dr R Sukhyar, representing CCOP and Mr Holger Bietz representing GCCSI, and witnessed by the Dr Elmer Billedo, Vice-Chairperson of the CCOP Steering Committee and Prof Dr He Qingcheng, CCOP TS Director.  



The 60th SC Meeting discussed about the administrative and financial status of CCOP for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2013, as well as technical projects and activities conducted.  Revised Budget and Workplan for 2013, CCOP Business Plan 2013-2015 were reported and endorsed by the Meeting.  Prof Dr He Qincheng also presented his terminal report at the meeting, summarizing the accomplishments he had made during his tenure, as well as his recommendations for CCOP. New Initiatives were proposed by Thailand, Philippines and Japan for the CCOP TS to follow-up and work with, as follows:

Thailand

  •  The Standard Petroleum Reserves Report Forms
  •  A Feasibility Study of Karst Groundwater Storage
  •  Transboundary Aquifer Management and Sharing among CCOP member countries

Philippines

  • Compilation of Best Practices on Mine Decommissioning and Rehabilitation Plan

Korea

  • Training Course on Groundwater Theory and Application (24 June to 8 July 2013)
  • Solutions of Water Resources for CCOP Member Countries

Japan

  • Publication of CCOP Book, "Stone Heritages in East and Southeast Asia"


On the last day of the meeting, the delegates went for the excursion at Phachan Saphanbok Geopark organized by the host organization, Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand.