[sustran] BAQ 2006 Workshop Moved to 13-15 December 2006, Yogyakarta, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel

[BAQ 2006 Secretariat]

[Apologies for cross-postings, but this is an important update.]

Following the tragic earthquake that struck Yogyakarta on the morning of 
27 May 2006, the BAQ Organizing Committee has conducted an assessment of 
the implications for the Better Air Quality (BAQ) 2006 preparations. In 
a recent meeting of the BAQ Organizing Committee, the City of Yogyakarta, 
the Province of Yogyakarta, the State Ministry of Environment, and the 
Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) reconfirmed their commitment 
to host the largest regional meeting on urban air quality in Asia this 
year, in Yogyakarta City.

To allow the city and province to prepare for the workshop, BAQ 2006 (which 
was originally scheduled for 13-15 September) will now take place on 13-15 
December 2006. Click here to read the official press release: http://www.cleanairnet.org/baq2006/1757/propertyvalue-26756.html#h2_1

YOGYA REVIVAL!

BAQ 2006 will be the first large international conference to be held in 
Yogyakarta after the calamity. The original theme of BAQ 2006 -- "A CELEBRATION 
OF EFFORTS" -- is now more appropriate than ever. The Local Governments 
of Yogyakarta welcomed the decision of the BAQ 2006 Organizing Committee 
and expressed that the BAQ 2006 workshop will be an important contribution 
to the local economy and the efforts of the local governments to restore 
the international community's confidence in Yogyakarta as a main tourism 
destination in Indonesia and Asia. Over 1,000 participants from more than 
40 countries are expected at the BAQ 2006 workshop. 

The BAQ 2006 Organizing Committee also warmly welcomed and endorsed the 
proposal of CAI-Asia and the Ministry of Environment to launch a fund raising 
project to contribute to reconstruction efforts as part of the "YOGYA BANGKIT 
- YOGYA REVIVAL!" campaign which was launched by the Yogyakarta local governments. 
CAI-Asia and the Ministry of Environment pledged to raise funds among BAQ 
2006 participants, BAQ 2006 supporting organizations, and sponsors to support 
reconstruction activities in Bantul District and Yogyakarta City. The proceeds 
of this program will be used to contribute towards restoring communal water 
and sanitation facilities in Bantul and restoring damaged heritage sites 
in Yogyakarta city. Details will be announced soon.

NEW VENUE: HYATT REGENCY HOTEL

The decision to move the workshop to December was made after discussions 
with the Yogyakarta Hotel Association and a review of the hotel infrastructure. 
The BAQ 2006 will now be held at the Hyatt Regency hotel. Hotel bookings 
will resume in two weeks once logistical arrangements are worked out. Participants 
who have already made reservations at the Sheraton Mustika will be informed 
of the next steps in a separate email.

PRE-EVENTS AND THE GOVERNMENTAL MEETING

Different pre-events are scheduled to take place on 11 and 12 December 
2006. This includes the Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum 
and the CAI-Asia General Assembly. The First Governmental Meeting on Urban 
Air Quality Management will be held in the afternoon of 13 and 14 December 
2006.

NEXT STEPS

The BAQ Secretariat will send separate emails to those who have registered 
for BAQ, those who have submitted abstracts, and those who have booked 
hotels to explain the next steps.

The BAQ Organizing Committee would like to thank the supporting organizations 
and private sector sponsors for their continued support for BAQ 2006. For 
more information about how you can help Yogyakarta by supporting BAQ 2006, 
contact Mr. Cornie Huizenga, chuizenga at adb.org, (632) 632 5047. 

We hope to see you in December in Yogyakarta!

- BAQ 2006 Secretariat
http://www.baq2006.org









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