CPSC Governing Board Charts Strategic Direction at 121st Governing Board Meeting

(From left to right, first row) The Members and Country Representatives of the CPSC Governing Board: Ms. Chathuri Kalpana, Attaché of the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; H.E. Dr. Asima Rabbani, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General; H.E. Ms. Constance See Sin Yuan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore; H.E. Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; Ms. Maria Roseny B. Fangco Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) at the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of United Nations and International Organizations (DFA-UNIO); and Ms. Julie-Anne D. Dizon, Desk Assistant, DFA-UNIO

(From left to right, second row) Mr. Rangsant Srimangkorn, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of The Royal Thai Embassy; Ms. Qurat ul Ain Maryam, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Pakistan; Mr. Shah Md. Ashraful Alam Mohon, First Secretary and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Mr. Norjufri Nizar Edrus, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Malaysia; Hon. Mrs. Hla Thida Lynn, Charge' d' Affaire a.i/ Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; Mr. Madan Gopal, Second Secretary (Political & Culture) of the Embassy of the Republic of India; and H.E. Mr. Stephen Pokanis, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea

The Governing Board (GB) of the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) concluded Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 with its 121st GB Meeting (GBM), held on July 9, 2026 at the CPSC headquarters in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Presided over by H.E. Ms. Constance See Sin Yuan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore and Chairperson of the CPSC Governing Board for FY 2025-2026, together with H.E. Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Vice-Chairperson, the meeting reviewed key institutional priorities, deliberated on strategic and administrative matters, and charted the College’s direction for FY 2026-2027.

The GB meeting was joined by the Heads of Mission and country representatives from the embassies of Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The meeting also welcomed Mrs. Chulamanee Chartsuwan, the newly appointed Secretary-General of The Colombo Plan, and Ms. Maria Roseny B. Fangco, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of United Nations and International Organizations (DFA-UNIO).

(From left to right) The 121st Governing Board Meeting in session, with H.E. Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, Vice-Chairperson; H.E. Ms. Constance See Sin Yuan, Chairperson; and CPSC Director General Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja (Member Secretary and Ex-Officio Member)

Serving as GB Member Secretary and Ex-Officio Member, CPSC Director General Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja assisted the GB Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson in facilitating the meeting and presented the meeting agenda to the Board.

The Board deliberated on key policy, financial, and administrative matters that will guide the College’s operations for FY 2026-2027. Among the major agenda items were the report of the Standing Committee on the member countries' decision regarding membership contribution options, the proposed CPSC Yearly Plan of Operations IV (YPO IV), the Operational Budget for FY 2026-2027, and the proposed revisions to the CPSC Staff Norms and Conditions, including the possible enhancement of the salary and benefits of the CPSC Faculty Specialists. Members likewise received updates on the ongoing recruitment of Faculty Specialists and discussed the proposed policy on long-overdue accounts and payments.

CPSC Director General Prof. (Dr.) Suresh Kumar Dhameja presents a Plaque of Recognition to H.E. Ms. Constance See Sin Yuan in recognition of her dedicated service as CPSC GB Chairperson for FY 2025-2026.

The meeting culminated in the official turnover of the CPSC Governing Board Chairpersonship and Vice-Chairpersonship, in which the Honorable Ambassador of Singapore formally concluded her term as Chairperson after leading the Governing Board throughout FY 2025-2026. Succeeding her as Chairperson is H.E. Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, while H.E. Mrs. Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy, assumed the Vice-Chairpersonship. The new Vice-Chairperson, in effect, was also appointed as the new Standing Committee Chairperson and she will be joined by Bangladesh as one of the members of the Committee aside from the Director General.