2nd Executive Board Meeting for CONSAL XIX
13 August 2024
Malaysia has been given the opportunity to host the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting (CONSAL XIX) in 2025 after hosting it in 1981 and 1996. The General Conference will be held at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from 17 to 19 June 2025 and the 3rd Executive Board Meeting will be held on 16 June 2025 at the same venue.
In preparation for CONSAL XIX, the Executive Board of CONSAL had their second meeting, held in a hybrid mode, on 15 July 2024. Most members from Malaysia were present physically at the National Library of Malaysia and regional participants attended virtually. The meeting was attended by 49 representatives from the CONSAL member countries. Dr Mohd Ghazali Fadzil presided over the meeting as the Chairman for the CONSAL XIX Executive Board and Chairman of the CONSAL XIX Organising Committee. He was assisted by Mr Wan Mazli Wan Razali, the Secretary for the CONSAL XIX Executive Board. Mr Charles Brilee from the National Library of Malaysia represented Mrs Salasiah Wahab, the Director General and Co-Chair of the CONSAL XIX Organising Committee.
The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Ms Chin Loy Jyoo, Secretary for CONSAL XIX Organising Committee. The theme, sub-themes, and official logo for CONSAL XIX were presented and agreed upon by the members. The call for papers and registration will be released on 1 August 2024.
The meeting went on to discuss matters such as the proposal for an Executive Board workshop and the agenda for the workshop. Among the items for discussion were the preparation of a paper for the inclusion of CONSAL into ASEAN, the status of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), and amendment of the Constitution. Malaysia also proposed the conferment of the CONSAL Young Librarians Award for CONSAL XIX which was agreed by the members. Representatives of the member countries also discussed the host for CONSAL XX namely Laos, Brunei Darussalam, or Singapore. Laos will further discuss the possibility of hosting CONSAL XX and will inform the Executive Board accordingly.
The 3rd and final Executive Board Meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 16 June 2025. Malaysia looks forward to welcoming everyone to CONSAL XIX in Kuala Lumpur.
Contributed by Dr Nor Edzan Che Nasir, Member of CONSAL XIX Secretariat