THE DEVELOPMENT OF VECONAC 

The 1st VECONAC General Assembly, 20-23 December 1980 Jakarta, (Indonesia)

After the inauguration of VECONAC, the first General Assembly was held in Jakarta.

The following decisions were made:

• The name of the organization will be the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC)
• The adoption of VECONAC Constitution prepared by the Ad-hoc Committee, the VECONAC rules, logo as well as March will be decided at the next Second General Assembly.
• The General Assembly to be held once in two years with the venue to be routed among ASEAN members countries on alphabetical order.
• The permanent Secretariat of VECONAC to be in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The Assembly delegated to the Executive Board several items as: the draft of the By Law of the Confederation, the ASEAN Veterans March, the annual contribution which was fixed at US $ 250 for each member country.

The 2nd General Assembly 25 February- 3 March 1983, Kuala Lumpur, (Malaysia)

The 2nd General Assembly of VECONNAC was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and agreed on 7 following matters:

• The need to cooperate in business activities amongst fellow veterans in ASEAN countries.
• Cooperation in the field of disabled veterans on medical technology, medical and health care.
• Encouraging veteran’s children to visit member countries during school vacation.
• Exchange educational programmed of students from ASEAN veteran’s families.
• Further participation of ASEAN women in the VECONAC goals
• Support of legislation for restoration of status as World War II veterans previously granted under existing laws Care of the aged veterans.

The 3rd General Assembly 14-18 May 1985, Manila, (Philippines).

The 3rd VECONAC General Assembly was organized in Manila, the Philippines. The meeting agreed on resolutions prepared by the Ad-hoc Committee on:

• Amendment of the VECONAC Constitution to enable Brunei Darussalam to join the membership of VECONAC.
• The admission of Brunei Darussalam as six member of VECONAC
• The need to expedite an information system between the Executive Board and the members
• The need to set up an A-hoc Committee to implement resolutions passed by the General Assembly.
• The site of the Secretariat follows the Presidency of VECONAC.
• The need to inform the World Veterans Federation (WVF) of the existence of VECONAC as a regional organization affiliating with ASEAN.
• The meeting also issued a joint declaration affirming ASEAN member countries position to pursue efforts so far taken by VECONAC.

The 4th VECONAC General Assembly on 7-9 November 1987 (Singapore)

The 4th VECONAC General Assembly held in Singapore carried 8 resolutions:

• To request the Executive Board to promptly implement VECONAC’s affiliation with ASEAN.
• To request the Executive Board to implement decisions and resolutions resulted from the Third VECONAC General Assembly.
• To support demand made by the War Veterans federation of the Philippines to the US Government.
• To further promote exchange of information among VECONAC members and to urge the Government of ASEAN to officially recognize its respective veteran’s organization.
• To support the inclusion of the Philippines Veterans New Constitution (1986) to enable the military veterans and the second world war veterans of the Philippines be officially recognized by the Government.
• To declare war against elicits drugs and their distribution.
• To issue an official description on the VECONAC’s logo in conformity with its affiliation ASEAN.
• The outcome of the 4th General Assembly was presented by the Heads of Delegate in a joint communiqué.

The 5th General Assembly on 19-23 August 1989, Bangkok (Thailand)

The fifth VECONAC General Assembly, held in Bangkok, Thailand resulted in decision as contain in the joint communiqué, inter alias:

• The establishment of three working committee as proposed by LVRI on matters pertaining
• Economic activities of ASEAN Veterans (Working Committee I) as the implementation of Resolution No 1 of the Second VECONAC General Assembly  in Kuala Lumpur 1983.
• The participation of ASEAN Women in pursuing VECONAC’s objectives (Working Committee II) as an implementation of Resolution No 5 of the Second VECONAC General Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur in 1983.
• The promotion and implementation of the quality of life and prosperity of Veterans through cooperatives (Working Committee III) as a manifestation of article 3 of the VECONAC Constitution.

The establishment of these working groups was in fact a realization of resolutions adopted at the previous assemblies and it was seen as the opening of a new chapter in VECONAC activities. Therefore, it was the Working Committee program as realization of resolutions from the meeting. Active participation was shown by all the delegates during the working groups meetings.

• The adoption of two resolutions on:

• Support for the demand made by the Philippines Veterans requesting the US Government to give a pension allowance to the Philippines Ex-Services joining the US Allied Forces during the Second World War.
• Exchange of views, information and experience among VECONAC members aimed at creating common understanding and encouraging visits among themselves.
• Proposal for amendment of the VECONAC Constitution.

The 6th VECONAC General Assembly,14-20 December 1992, Jakarta, (Indonesia).

The 6th VECONAC General Assembly was held in Jakarta with activities inter alias:

• The completion of Working Committee’s assignment on the following matters:

• Economic activities of ASEAN Veterans (Working Committee I)
• ASEAN Women participation to pursue VECONAC objectives (Working Committee II)
• Promotion and improvement of the quality of life and veteran’s prosperity through cooperatives (Working Committee III)
• A national seminar for women initiated by LVRI with the theme:

“The greater Challenges and opportunities for Indonesian Women in the next stage of sustained National Development”

The 7th VECONAC General Assembly 20-25 November 1994 (Malaysia)

The 7th General Assembly was held at the Crown Princess hotel Kuala Lumpur from with tremendous success. The General Assembly adopted 3 resolutions as follows:

• Resolution 1 : VECONAC Resolution on Human Rights
• Resolution 2 : VECONAC welcome and in support of “APEC Leaders declaration on Common Resolve.
• Resolution 3 : VECONAC Resolution on Biodiversity and Climate change. The besides the General Assembly also adopted reports prepared by the standing committee on:

• Cooperatives
• Corporation
• Participation on women

The 8th VECONAC General Assembly 16-21 February 1997 in Manila (Philippines)

The 8th VECONAC General Assembly was held at the Holiday Inn, Manila from with a tremendous success. The General Assembly adopted the Resolutions as follows:

• Resolution 1        : In support of the Treaty on South East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone.
• Resolution 2        : On Women’s role and National Resilience- Indonesia
• Resolution 3        : “Manila Declaration” proposed resolution –Malaysia
• Resolution 4        : Appreciation and gratitude to the Host Country for hosting the 8th VECONAC General Assembly.
• Resolution 5        : Appreciation and Gratitude to President Fidel Valdes Ramos.
• Resolution 6        : Appreciation for Cooperation and Attendance of delegates from member country
• Resolution 7        : Resolution to amend the mandate of the 1992 General Assembly to establish the VECONAC Corporation.

The 9th VECONAC General Assembly from 21-25 August 2000 (Brunei Darussalam)

The 9th VECONAC General Assembly was held at the Holiday Lodge, Jerudong, Negara Brunei Darussalam with tremendous success. The General Assembly adopted 16 Resolutions as follows:

• Resolution 1        : Resolution of Exchange of Information on Legal Status and Facilities by VECONAC members Associations and their Dependents.
• Resolution 2        :Resolution on Small and Medium Enterprise Sector and its opportunities to VECONAC Members Associations and their Individual Business Veterans and Ex-Servicemen.
• Resolution 3        : Amendment to Article II of the Constitution.
• Resolution 4        : Amendment to Article VII of the Constitution.
• Resolution 5        : Amendment to Rule 1 of the By Laws
• Resolution 6        : Amendment to Rule 2 of the by-Laws
• Resolution 7        : Amendment to Rule 7 of the By-Laws
• Resolution 8        : Amendment to Rule 12 of the By-Laws
• Resolution 9        : Adoption of the official seal.
• Resolution 10      : Order of Precedence among members.
• Resolution 11      : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to his Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam for his indulgence in permitting the holding of the 9th General Assembly in Negara Brunei Darussalam and granting an audience to the heads of delegations from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
• Resolution 12      : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his officiating at the official opening of the 9th General Assembly.
• Resolution 13      : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the Persatuan Bekas Prajurit Negara Brunei Darussalam for hosting the 9th General Assembly.
• Resolution 14      : Resolution of Appreciation to the Organizing Committee of the 9th General Assembly.
• Resolution 15      : Resolution of Appreciation to the VECONAC Staff.
• Resolution 16      : Resolution of Appreciation to the Outgoing Officers.

The 10th VECONAC General Assembly from 19-23 October 2003 Hanoi (Vietnam)

The 10th General Assembly was held at the Ministry of Defense’s Guest House, Hanoi, Vietnam with tremendous success. The General Assembly adopted 20 Resolutions as follows:

• Resolution 1        : Resolution of ASEAN Veterans solidarity for sustainable peace, co-operation and development.
• Resolution 2        : Resolution of welcome and support the achievement recorded by the ASEAN 9 Summit meeting in Bali Indonesia 2003.
• Resolution 3        : Resolution of VECONAC mutual assistance in over-coming hunger and poverty.
• Resolution 4        : Resolution of Understanding and assisting Vietnamese victims subjected to long lasting war effects.
• Resolution 5        : Resolution of Amendment to by law of VECONAC.
• Resolution 6        : Resolution of Welcome and support the Sea Game 22 and ASEAN Para-Game 2, 2003.
• Resolution 7        : Resolution of the celebration of the 25th birthday of VECONAC.
• Resolution 8        : Resolution of the extension of the VECONAC membership.
• Resolution 9        : Resolution of anti drug campaign.
• Resolution 10      : Resolution of the need for close cooperation of VECONAC member organization to oppose the use of all and of weapon of mass destruction and prevention of illegal arms smuggling.
• Resolution 11      : Resolution of appreciation and gratitude to Vietnam Communist Leaders.
• Resolution 12      : Resolution of appreciation to H.E. Mr Tran Duc Luong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• Resolution 13      : Resolution of appreciation to H.E. General Vo Nguyen Giap for attending and delivering a speech at the 10th General Assembly of VECONAC.
• Resolution 14      : Resolution of appreciation and gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister
• Resolution 15      : Resolution of appreciation and gratitude to Minister of National Defense.
• Resolution 16      : Resolution of appreciation and gratitude to the Veterans Association of Vietnam for hosting the 10th General Assembly of VECONAC.
• Resolution 17      : Resolution of appreciation to the outgoing officers
• Resolution 18      : Resolution of appreciation and Gratitude to the VECONAC staff
• Resolution 19      : Resolution of appreciation to the Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee
• Resolution 20      : Resolution of appreciation and gratitude to the organizing Committee of the 10th General Assembly.

The 11th VECONAC General Assembly from 18-23 December 2005in Bangkok (Thailand)

The 11th General Assembly was held at Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand with tremendous success. The General Assembly adopted 11 Resolutions as follows:

• Resolution 1        : Resolution for Peace in ASEAN Region.
• Resolution 2        : Resolution for Peace, Cooperation and Simultaneous Development in the ASEAN Region.
• Resolution 3        : Resolution on the Vientiane Action Program.
• Resolution 4        : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the King of Thailand.
• Resolution 5        : Resolution of Appreciation and gratitude to the Former Prime Minister of Thailand.
• Resolution 6        : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the Minister of Defense of Thailand
• Resolution 7        : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to General Tosarot Muang-um, Director General of the War Veterans Organization of Thailand.
• Resolution 8        : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the War Veterans Organization of Thailand for Hosting the 11th General Assembly of VECONAC
• Resolution 9        : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the Outgoing Officers and to the VECONAC Staff.
• Resolution 10      : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the Former President VECONAC, Lt Gen (ret) Dang Quan Huy and to VAVN.
• Resolution 11      : Resolution of Appreciation and Gratitude to the Organizing Committee of the 11th General Assembly.

The 12th VECONAC General Assembly from 11-15 February 2008 (Singapore)

The 12th General Assembly held in RELC international Hotel, Singapore with tremendous success. The General Assembly adopted 4 Resolutions as follows:

• Resolution 1        : Resolution on Economic Cooperation
• Resolution 2        : Resolution on fostering Cooperation amongst SMEs
• Resolution 3        : Resolution on women matters
• Resolution 4        : Resolution on Women and Dependents.

The 13th VECONAC (Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries) General Assembly, 25-28 April 2010 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

The 13th VECONAC General Assembly was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jakarta-Indonesia, located next to  the LVRI headquarter building.  The assembly was a successful one as all the VECONAC member associations and observers, including Veterans from Timor Leste attended the meeting. The VECONAC delegates and observers had the opportunity to call on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at Merdeka State Palace, where he delivered his remarks.
 
The Assembly discussed and adopted the following 8 (eight) resolutions:

• Resolution     13 -1      Violation of Human Rights in Gaza
• Resolution     13 -2      Addressing the Economic Crisis.
• Resolution     13-3       Humanitarian Approach to the Status of Refugees
• Resolution     13-4       Extending the VECONAC membership
• Resolution     13-5       Recognition of contribution undertaken by VECONAC
• Resolution     13-6       Improving Economic Cooperations
• Resolution     13-7       Welfare for Woman and Dependant
• Resolution     13-8       Write-off  ESAS Dues