As approved by the ICA-AP Regional Assembly in Tehran on 29th November 2018

(Based on the Rules approved by ICA General Assembly in Rome on 6th June 2008)

The International Co-operative Alliance-Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) is the ICA region that serves members of the International Cooperative Alliance in the Asia and Pacific region.

Article-1: Mission Statement

The ICA-AP shall implement the ICA Mission as stated in the Statutes of the International Cooperative Alliance at the regional level.

Article 2: Objects

The ICA-AP will promote the Objects of the International Cooperative Alliance as stated in the Statutes of the International Cooperative Alliance at the regional level.

Article 3: Structure

The ICA-AP is structured at the regional, sectoral and thematic levels and comprises the following:

• a regional office in New Delhi, India
• a sub-regional office in Malaysia

The ICA-AP serves all ICA members in Asia and Pacific region.

The Regional Assembly is the highest authority of ICA-AP and all the decisions are monitored and supervised by the elected Regional Board.

The Regional Director through a team of technical staff implements the plans and actions approved by the Regional Assembly.

Article 4: Regional Authorities

The regional authorities of ICA-AP are: Regional Assembly, Regional Board and Regional Director.

Article 5: Regional Assembly

1. There shall be a Regional Assembly for Asia and Pacific region, consisting of representatives appointed by the ICA members in the region;
2. The Regional Assembly, being the highest authority within the ICA-AP, is stipulated in the Statutes of the International Cooperative Alliance with the following added provisions:
   • The Regional Assembly further deals with the development of cooperatives in the region and formulates policies on major issues beneficial and relevant to the ICA-AP and the cooperative movements in the region.
3. The Regional Assembly shall, as a rule, meet every second year. Extra ordinary meetings of the Regional Assembly may be convened on the decision of the Regional Board or at the request of one-fifth of members; and
4. All questions on which the Regional Assembly votes are decided by a majority of the votes cast, unless specified otherwise. Voting procedures for election shall be in accordance with the ICA Bye-Laws.

Article 6: Powers of Regional Assembly

The powers of the Regional Assembly are stipulated in the Statutes of the International Cooperative Alliance with the following additional provisions.

1. The President of the region shall, as a rule, be the Chairperson of the Regional Assembly and the Regional Board;
2. The Regional Assembly shall elect two Vice Chairpersons, one of whom shall preferably be a woman. They shall also be the Vice Chairpersons of the Regional Assembly; and
3. The Regional Assembly shall establish Sectoral and Thematic Committees at the regional level and approve their Constitutions.

Article 7: Regional Board

1. There shall be a Regional Board of 11 persons consisting of a Chairperson, two Vice Chairpersons and eight Members elected by the Regional Assembly. Not more than one person from one country can be elected to the Regional Board;
2. The term of office-bearers of the Regional Board is 4 years. In case any elected
   person ceases to represent or is withdrawn by his/her sponsor, the sponsor may nominate a replacement for the remaining term and the decision on the replacement rests with the Regional Board;
3. The Chair of the ICA-AP Committee on Youth and ICA-AP Committee on Women shall be co-opted to the ICA-AP Regional Board without voting right. The Asia and Pacific members of the ICA Board who are not members of the Regional Board, shall have the right to attend and speak at the Regional Board.
4. No person shall be entitled to serve on the Board whose organization has ceased affiliation with the ICA;
5. A quorum of the Board shall be constituted when more than half of its members are present. Acceptance of a resolution shall be on a two-third majority of members present and voting;
6. Each member of the Board shall be entitled to one vote;
7. The Board shall meet at least once a year. The meetings shall be convened by the President or at the request of one-third of the members; and
8. The Regional Director of ICA-AP shall be the Secretary of the Regional Board.

Article 8: Powers of Regional Board

The powers of the Regional Board are stipulated in the Statutes of the International Cooperative Alliance.

Article 9: Regional Director

The Regional Director is the Chief Executive of the Asia and Pacific region. His/Her responsibilities are stipulated in the Statutes of the International Cooperative Alliance.

Article 10: Sectoral and Thematic Committees

1. The Regional Assembly may establish or dissolve Sectoral and Thematic Committees;
2. Regional Sectoral Committees may be established in areas of economic and social activity of cooperatives as considered desirable;
3. Regional Thematic Committees may be established based on requirements of the region; and
4. The sectoral and thematic committees will draw up rules for approval by the Regional Assembly. They will work within the Regional Strategic Plan and will submit annual work plans/budgets to the Regional Director.

Article 11: Official Language

The official language of the Regional Assembly/Regional Board is English. Delegates using other than English shall arrange their own interpreters.

Article 12: Finance

1. The delegates or their sponsoring organisations shall be responsible for covering the expenses of their participation at the Regional Assembly/Regional Board;
2. Participation in the Regional Assembly and other related meetings will be subject to payment of Registration Fee as prescribed by the Regional Board; and
3. In line with ICA tradition, Regional Assembly shall be hosted by the member organisations in the region who may take care of logistic and other related costs as mutually agreed upon.

Article 13: Others

1. Amendments to these Rules and any subsequent alterations shall be subject to the approval by the Regional Assembly; and
2. For all other matters, which are not covered by these Rules, ICA Statutes shall apply.