On February 5, 2026, the 12th Governing Board (GB) Meeting of ANSO was held online. It was attended by representatives of eight GB member organizations, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal (ANSTS), the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SASA), the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS), the National Research Centre (NRC) of Egypt, the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the University of Chile, and the University of Donja Gorica (UDG) from Montenegro. The meeting was chaired by Prof. HE Hongping, Vice President of CAS, on behalf of the ANSO President Organization. 

Firstly, the GB reviewed the draft of Rules on ANSO Membership Dues presented by Prof. LIU Weidong, Executive Director of ANSO. It endorsed the document in principle with a few suggestions to further improve it. The GB decided that the improved document should be sent to all GB members for confirmation before it takes effect. 

Secondly, the GB reviewed and approved Prof. He’s nomination of a candidate for the ANSO Treasurer. Prof. Sham Mai-har, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), will be appointed by the GB as the ANSO Treasurer for a term of two years. The primary responsibility of the Treasurer is to oversee the collection and use of ANSO membership dues.

Finally, the GB discussed the proposal on the dates and venue for the 13th GB Meeting. The proposal was presented by Prof. Nebojša Lalić, Secretary General of SASA and Vice President of ANSO. The GB agreed that the next meeting should be held in-person in Belgrade, Serbia, in October 2026, with SASA serving as the local host. Prof. HE extended his gratitude to Prof. Lalić and SASA for their generous offer to host this event. The meeting also discussed the format and themes of two academic events to be held in conjunction with the 13th GB Meeting.