The first session of the Governing Council (GC) of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery (APCAEM) was held in New Delhi, India from 23 to 24 November 2005, back to back with its first session of the Technical Committee (TC) in New Delhi from 21 to 22 November. The GC session was attended by representatives of China, Fiji, India, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam. Representatives from Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Nepal Agricultural and Environmental Forum, and Shin-Norinsha Co., Ltd of Japan attended the session as observers.

The Deputy Executive Secretary, Mr. Shigeru Mochida, delivered an opening statement on behalf of the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP. In his statement, the DES expressed a deep gratitude to the host Government of APCAEM for its institutional financial contributions and strong support to the Centre. Sincere gratitude was also expressed to the Government of the Republic of Korea for providing a senior-level non-reimbursable loan (NRL) expert in post-harvest technology and food chains management to the Centre. The DES also expressed his appreciation to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the local host of the first session of the GC for their warm hospitality.

The Governing Council elected Dr. S. K. Tandon (India) Chairperson, Dr. Sun-Ok Chung (Republic of Korea) Vice-Chairperson, and Mr. Lakshman Mudalier (Fiji) Rapporteur for the session.

The Council reviewed the Work Progress Report for 2005, Work Programme for 2006-2007, Medium-Term Operational Strategy, and the financial status of APCAEM. The Council recommended that the Work Programme for 2006-2007 and the Medium-Term Operational Strategy be revised taking into account the outcome of the report of the TC.

The Council recommended APCAEM to solicit its member countries to provide project proposals pertaining to best practice/models applied to the three core/focus areas of its proposed work programme for 2006-2007.

The Council concluded that interaction of the Centre with the member countries needs to be strengthened in implementation of the work programme and resource mobilization. To this end, each member country is recommended to assign one Designated National Institute / Nodal Point to coordinate the technical aspects of the work programme of APCAEM.

The Council welcomed and appreciated the Chinese government's confirmation of its commitment to provide permanent office premises of APCAEM when the temporary office premises would be no longer available.

The Council agreed that the second session of the TC/GC be held in the Republic of Korea in the third week of November 2006, with one full day in between the TC and the GC session, reserved for technical visits.

The Government of India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), the partner institute of APCAEM, have made great efforts to ensure the success of hosting the sessions.