Address

Mrs Mariko Bando
Deputy Director General of National Archives of Japan

Your Excellency State Councilor and Secretary General of the State Council Luo Gan, ICA Secretary General Kecskemeti, Distinguished Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is a great privilege and honor for me to be called upon to give this address.

First of all, I would like to thank Mr Wang Gang, Head of the State Archives Bureau of China for his kind invitation to the Inaugural Meeting of East Asian Regional Branch of ICA.

It is very fitting that we come here to Beijing to exchange ideas for the establishment of East Asian Regional Branch of ICA, because China has a long archival history and has made many notable advances in the field of archives and will be one of the great center in the region.

I understand the history of this gathering goes back to the meeting on September 7, 1992 in Montreal on the occasion of the XII^th International Congress on Archives, when it first became apparent to us that development in the field of archives in the region had become so important that a meeting seemed mandatory.

I think the goals of this Inaugural Meeting are threefold. First, it should advance mutual understanding and promote collaboration among us. Second, it should exchange our experiences and knowledge in the field of archives. Finally, it should follow the aim and objectives of the International Council on Archives.

I believe it might be too optimistic to assume that in three days we will solve all the problems in establishing East Asian Regional Branch of ICA.

I am confident, however, that our deliberations will be fruitful.

I look forward to the Meeting with great excitement and great anticipation, as I hope you do.

Thank you.