Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), Kobe, Japan
ADRC was established in July 1998 to promote multilateral cooperation for disaster reduction and to network the various players in the region. It has held annual meetings to network the focal points in governments of its member countries. Its activities focus on information sharing, capacity building and cooperation. It has developed several successful capacity building programmes with its member countries. http://www.adrc.or.jp

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand
AIT is an international graduate institution of higher learning with a mission to develop highly qualified and committed professionals who will play a leading role in the sustainable development of the region and its integration into the global economy. http://www.ait.ac.th

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Singapore
Its goal is to advance economic dynamism and sense of community within the Asia-Pacific region. APEC has established itself as the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic and technical cooperation. http://www.apecsec.org.sg

Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Bangkok, Thailand
The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the association are to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of South-East Asian nations. It further aims to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. http://www.aseansec.org

BRAC [Jan 12 06 Dhaka Bangladesh]-- www.brac.net/index2.htm With a vision of "a just, enlightened, healthy and democratic Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty, environmental degradation and all forms of exploitation based on age, sex, religion and ethnicity," BRAC started as an almost entirely donor funded, small-scale relief and rehabilitation project to help the country overcome the devastation and trauma of the Liberation War. Today, BRAC has emerged as an independent, virtually self-financed paradigm in sustainable human development. It is the largest in the world employing 97,192 people, with the twin objectives of poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor. Through experiential learning, BRAC today provides and protects livelihoods of around 100 million people in Bangladesh. Diagnosing poverty in human terms and recognising its multidimensional nature, BRAC approaches poverty alleviation with a holistic approach. BRAC's outreach covers all 64 districts of the country and furthermore, has been called upon to assist a number of countries including Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Center on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Dhaka, Bangladesh
CIRDAP is a regional, intergovernmental and autonomous institution established in July 1979 by the countries of Asia and the Pacific region. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, which had the support of several other UN bodies and donor countries and agencies such as Japan, and the Swedish International Development Agency took the initiative for its creation. The member countries of CIRDAP are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. http://www.cirdap.org.sg

Coordinating Committee for Coastal and Offshore Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP), Bangkok, Thailand
CCOP is an Intergovernmental Organization focused on regional geo-scientific aspects. It consists of 11 member countries i.e., Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and is supported by 14 cooperating countries and several international organizations. http://www.ccop.or.th

Japan Center for Conflict Prevention (JCCP) [Jan 11 06 Tokyo Japan]-- www.jccp.gr.jp  Strengthens contribution of Japanese NGO sector to prevention, containment and resolution of violent conflict, particularly that in the Asia-Pacific region.  Produces monthly Dialogue Webpage for Conflicts Worldwide (DWCW) newsletter. ""Conflict prevention" will have a much more concrete meaning for the Japanese people of the twenty-first century. Citizens, as well as government, must deepen their awareness. Based on the belief that it is important to make such a contribution, The Japan Center for Preventive Diplomacy (now the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention) was founded on July 19th, 1999. Its goal is to become the driving force behind the conflict prevention activities of Japanese citizens throughout the trouble spots of the world. On February 28th, 2002 The Japan Center for Preventative Diplomacy obtained legal status as a non-profit-organization and changed its name to the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention."

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Kathmandu, Nepal
SAARC was established when its charter was formally adopted on 8 December, 1985 by the heads of state of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAARC provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in member states. http://www.saarc-sec.org