It had been agreed not to transfer IASO’s legal status from a US not for profit organization to a UK charity, with the establishment of the London office so the need for a partnership agreement stemmed from this decision.

As an umbrella organization of national associations, IASO had until now, been dealing primarily with scientific aspects of obesity research, rather than national policy issues. To facilitate IOTF’s work, it was important to have IASO gain WHO recognition as a non- governmental organization. It had therefore been agreed in Paris that IOTF would become an ad hoc sub-committee of IASO.

With the move to London, IOTF had needed to acquire a separate legal status as a company limited by guarantee and as a registered charity. The London office had now been established jointly with IASO and there was a clear need to integrate activities and to look at the most cost-effective way of structuring future expansion, including making the best use of IASO’s extensive network. The Partnership Agreement was the technical method for solving these issues. The wording of the agreement was based on a standard model used by UK associations facing the challenges of operating conjointly with other charities, on a global basis.

The current proposal that IOTF Trustees would be completely conversant with IASO activities, and vice versa, should ensure transparency in operation. It was agreed that the Partnership Agreement be adopted, subject to review after one year.

It was noted that a letter had been sent from the executive committee to national associations, inviting them to tender to host the 10^th ICO in 2006. Verbal and written expressions of interest had been received from five host cities. For further details see page 15.

IOTF: A copy of the two-year plan for IOTF was circulated. A further document - Proposed IOTF Annual Plan for the Year 2000 which focused on more immediate funding priorities was also tabled.

Financial report:

Total cash assets were estimated to be £700,000 by 31/12/99. Core expenses were estimated to amount to circa £500,000, so the development of a fundraising strategy was a priority.

The London Headquarters had now been established and the following key areas of expenditure were identified:

1. Policy developments
2. Regional implementation
3. Core costs for both the above
4. Core costs for specific projects eg Caribbean/Pacific workshops for Government Ministers, on behalf of WHO.

The following key areas of proposed activity:

1. Asian work – this was well developed with data gathered and commitment to produce an Asian supplement on BMI.
2. Plan to add physical activity to current dietary strategies embodied in policy analyses of governmental action. Staff member James Erlichman has been appointed to work on this.
3. Major developments by the economics cost working group in Australia needed to be adopted for global use with governments.
4. The HQ was currently gathering datasets on childhood and adult BMI. Rachel Jackson-Leach had been appointed to collate data on BMI globally with specific focus for 2000 on European data sets.
5. Development of the policy analysis handbook to be used in conjunction with ministry of health workshops and for implementation by health departments.

The policy implementation group has five commitments in terms of demand for regional support:

Australia/Pacific – Tim Gill to relocate to Australia; IOTF to provide the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity with a subsidy towards 50% of salary costs for two years.

European developments – Russia is becoming increasingly important, so it is planned to employ a Russian/German Officer in the London Office

Latin America – initiative launched in Buenos Aires. There are now plans to employ a Spanish speaker in the London Office.

Chinese developments – A proposed task force is being disucssed with a further meeting in April 2000. Government and health ministry links will provide access to major policy initiatives relating to 3000 major medical centres and 120-150 medical schools. It is proposed to appoint a Mandarin speaker to facilitate this activity.

Caribbean – IOTF has agreed to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s request to run a Caribbean workshop.

North America – North America was locked into the Milan initiative and progressing with this issue.

Middle East – a workshop in Bahrain was scheduled for November 1999, and Egypt had expressed an interest in becoming involved.

Prof James also noted that IOTF was undergoing a major restructuring process and that the Trustees and steering group would meet to decide on future developments. At this stage it was anticipated that working groups would come to an end and would take on a scientific advisory or ambassadorial role.

IJO North American Editor: A panel consisting of the committee chairman, Michael Stock, Arne Astrup and a representative from Stockton Press had reviewed the two applications received and selected Dick Atkinson.

Renegotiation of IJO contract: The IJO contract with Stockton Press was shortly up for renewal and a renegotiation process needed to be established.

Obesity Reviews: The appointment of Arne Astrup as Editor-In-Chief of Obesity Reviews was approved by the Executive Committee.

IASO Newsletter: Neville Rigby was congratulated for his sterling efforts in improving the content and design of the IASO Newsletter. Copies were distributed to all delegates at the NAASO meeting. Revenue generated by advertisements in the newsletter had helped to offset costs of production. The executive was keen to increase contributions from regional and national associations to ensure that the interests and activities of the wider membership were embraced more effectively.

Membership Committee: The Executive Committee ratified the decision of the Membership Committee to admit the Yugoslav Association for the Study of Obesity to membership of IASO.

Awards Committee: It was noted that a programme of key dates for the Awards Committee was needed, as winners had to be notified to the São Paulo organizers at least eight months in advance to ensure inclusion in the congress programme. The President also needed to select five more members of this Committee.

International Scientific Advisory Committee to the São Paulo Congress: The first meeting of the International Advisory Committee with the São Paulo Scientific Committee would take place on Sunday 14^th November, in Charleston. This committee would be co-chaired by Claude Bouchard and Alfredo Halpern.

The proposed programme will consist of seven tracks, with an international adviser appointed to assist in the programming of each. This was the first Congress at which simultaneous translation (in Spanish and Portuguese) would be offered, as the number of non-English speaking delegates was expected to be high.

The President noted it would be useful for IASO to work to enhance relations with the pharmaceutical industry. It was proposed that this liaison role be taken on by the new IASO Director.