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History

From just an idea in 1983, AFE-ADB has grown over the years into an organization serving over 3,000 members living in at least 62 countries

1987—AFE held its first annual general meeting in Osaka, Japan. The 60 participants approved the constitution. Takeshi Watanabe, ADB’s first president (1966–1972), was elected president, and M. Ikramullah Khan, who had made AFE a viable institution, was elected secretary.

1991—AFE was provided with an office in ADB’s new headquarters building.

1991—AFE published its first newsletter.

1993—Former ADB president Masao Fujioka became AFE’s president.

1994—The by-laws were streamlined. The title "secretary" was changed to “executive secretary".

1996—AFE was incorporated as a charitable association in Vanuatu.

1998―BPMSD DG Umemoto provided a subsidy to AFE "In recognition of the important role played by the AFE–ADB in fostering the Bank’s Development and mission and in order to help the association defray the its administrative costs in carrying out the programmed activities."

2007—Tadao Chino, ADB president from 1999 to 2005, became AFE’s president. David Parker was elected Treasurer, replacing Victor The, who had served the position for several years.

2008—Ikramullah Khan retired as executive secretary. Hans-Juergen Springer was elected to succeed him, and Jill Gale de Villa was elected deputy executive secretary. Tadao Chino passed away. The executive secretary assumed the position of acting president.

2009—Members approved preferential voting to replace negative voting and actions to be taken for amending the by-laws. Bong-Suh Lee, ADB vice-president (Region West) 1993–1998, was elected president. Ikramullah Khan passed away at the age of 83.

2010—AFE adopted a new logo. The AFE website launched. About 120 participants attended the meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

2011—David Parker was re-elected as Treasurer. About 100 AFE members and spouses participated in AFE’s annual general meeting (AGM) and related functions in Ha Noi. Shortly afterwards AFE held its 25th anniversary celebrations in Manila, with about 175 participants attending.

2012—Hans-Juergen Springer re-elected as Executive Secretary. Members approved a 2-year extension of Jill Gale de Villa’s term as Deputy Executive Secretary to avoid turnover of officers in the same year. About 139 AFE members attended the AGM in Manila. A bylaws review committee commenced work on revising the AFE bylaws.

2013—Bong-Suh Lee re-elected as President. Revised bylaws approved by members in April 2013. Among the revisions, the titles of “President,” “Executive Secretary,” and “Deputy Executive Secretary” were changed to “Chairperson,” “President,” and “Vice President,” respectively. Printed membership directory updated. AFE’s 27th AGM held in Delhi.

2014—Jill Gale de Villa re-elected as Vice President. Annual meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan.

2015—Julia Holz elected as Treasurer. Annual meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan.

2016—Hans-Juergen Springer reelected as President. AFE successfully lobbied to retain the 3% cost-of-living annual raise for pensions of those hired prior to 2012.
 
2017—Bong-Suh Lee reelected as Chairperson. About 370 AFE members and accompanying persons attended ADB's 50th Annual Meeting, Yokohama.
 
2018―Annual General Meeting in Manila, Marissa Wenceslao elected as Assistant Treasurer, Jill Gale de Villa re-elected as VP.
 
2019―Bylaws amendments included recognition of domestic partners as spouses, requirements for members to be elected to the AFE Executive Committee, and title change of the Assistant Treasurer to Secretary. Nannette Guinto-Amorado elected as Treasurer. AFE Annual General Meeting held in Fiji. AFE member Masatsugu Asakawa became ADB’s president.
 
2020―The Covid pandemic spreads, forcing work-from-home and resulting in AFE having to hold a pro-forma virtual annual general meeting. Alfredo E. Pascual is elected as AFE’s president. Work-from-home hampers AFE’s connectivity, AFE News continues to be published online only, and the AFE Facebook page provides AFE and ADB update info. Treasurer Nannette Amorado investigates options of changing auditor and moving to the International Auditing Standards (IAS), which are more applicable to our type of organization than the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Fred Pascual initiates looking into further use of digital technology to improve AFE operations. AFE continues to participate in ADB’s tripartite pension and health insurance committees.
 
2021―ADB is still under pandemic mode with 90 % of staff working from home. It was a challenge for AFE to run a virtual office. The year saw the relocation and construction of the new AFE office on the ground floor near the West Core Lobby. AFE coordinated the availment of Covid vaccines for all retirees residing in the Philippines. Later in the year, Stephen P. Groff was elected Chair and Teresa S. Montesa elected as Secretary.
 
2022―ADB is still on lockdown but increments of staff were allowed to be physically present in HQ under certain conditions. AFE held its 36 th annual meeting virtually on 4 May 2022 which was well attended. Most Chapters held their own reunions via Zoom or some other platforms.
 
2023―The AFE office reopened. Jill Gale de Villa was elected President. ADB and AFE held hybrid in-person and virtual annual meetings in Incheon, Republic of Korea, with more than 100 AFE members attending. Günter Hecker and Gam de Armas and other Chapter Coordinators finalized A Practical Guide for Chapter Coordinators. Bruce Murray and Eveline Fischer and 7 members reviewed the Bylaws and provided recommendations to the ExCom. Joy Macaisa-Viray was elected Treasurer. Joy and Malou Pasicolan continue to work with ATGS on adapting the new accounting system to our needs. And we are still working on an updated website. Most Chapters resumed in-person reunions. The AFE-ADB website is undergoing major revamp.

AFE continues to look for ways to expand its service to its growing membership.

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