“Welcome to the new look portal for all things Asia Pacific Region.”

I was deeply honoured at the 39th General Assembly of WCC APR to be appointed as President of the organisation and will do my best to live up to the exemplary example set by Mr Aziz Murtazaev and the many presidents who have gone before me back to 1976.

The world is becoming ever more complex and the needs and aspirations of the artisans, artists and organisations on whose behalf we work are changing daily. The challenges for artisans to navigate issues around climate change, loss of raw materials, developing new work, new markets and improved practices for making and selling their work are not to be underestimated.

However, on our side is an extraordinarily skilled and talented board who give their time voluntarily to the great tasks we face. Please make yourself aware who represents you in your part of the world.

We are improving our communications to members with a quarterly newsletter supplemented by Instagram, WhatsApp and Wechat messaging to alert you all to new opportunities and events.

We plan to begin a members profile section and more details will follow. Essentially the profile section will enable others to understand who you are, what you do, and how to reach you.

Meantime enjoy this new and evolving website; get in touch if you have queries or comments and keep making wonderful work that makes our world a brighter place.

— Jude van der Merwe