CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Western Pacific Regional Branch
to the 45th IGA Board Meeting
29 April 2008, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
The third Annual General Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Branch (WPRB) of IGA will
be held in Nusa Dua on 28 April 2008.
Key activities since the second AGM were as follows:
1.

2.
3.

4.

Election of Forum. The election of Forum members for the next 3 years has been
held, with existing Forum re-appointed with the exception of Glenn Golla from thePhilippines, who has resigned owing to the fact that he has transferred permanently tothe USA. We thank Glenn for his significant contribution as the first Secretary of theBranch. Larry Bayrante from the Philippines has been appointed in his place and has
already made a major contribution by organising the election. Glenn resignation does
however mean that we do not have any formal minutes from the 2007 AGM.
Underway. Other officers appointed include Kevin Brown as Treasurer. At the timeof writing the position of Vice Chairman is vacant, but an update on that will be given
at the meeting.
Establishment of membership lists. Official membership lists of the WPRB havebeen established. The official lists have been sent to the IGA secretariat. Total
membership is currently , but it is clear that some of the lists need updating.
Seminar. The major activity of the WPRB has been the Technical Seminar on “Costreduction through improved geothermal well targeting” held in Nusa Dua
immediately before the IGA Board meeting, jointly with INAGA. An immediate
verbal report on that will be presented, and a formal report later on when the budget
has been finalised. This is the first major technical meeting convened by WPRB. Itis very pleasing to see the level of interest shown with 60 participants enrolled at thetime of writing. A donation of US $5000 has been received from the IGA Education
Committee, and support in kind from INAGA. Both these and the voluntary
contribution of time by the principal and guest lecturers is very much appreciated.
Financial. Dues from the individual members and countries for 2007 have beencollected with the exception of Indonesia. Sponsorship has come from SKM. Alongwith the Education grant of IGA, these now put the Branch on a healthy financial
footing.

Subsequent and forthcoming activities are as follows:1.

The location and timing of 2009 AGM and Regional Conference has yet to bedecided. If the pattern of rotation around the Region is to be continued, it should2.
3.

4.

either be in China or Japan, though if Australia becomes affiliated to IGA by then(which will likely be the case), that is also a possibility. All suggestions welcomed. .
Collection of annual fees for 2008.
A one-day Technical Seminar on Reservoir Management, to be conducted by CedricMalate from the Philippines. It had been intended to hold that in 2007, but progress
was stalled awaiting funding. The New Zealand and Australian Geothermal
Associations have agreed to fund travel costs so the Seminar can be held in thosecountries in August 2008, and I am very pleases to announce that arrangements to doso have been finalised. Hopefully it can then be rolled out to other countries in theRegion.
Planning for activities in 2009, noting that if support is to come from the IGA for
Educational purposes it needs to be applied for by August 2008.

Jim Lawless, Chairman

Nusa Dua, 28 April 2008