Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 2009 - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly (GA) came to an end today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Hosted by the Malaysian Paralympic Council, around 350 delegates from National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), disability specific sport federations (IOSDs), International Federations (IF), regions and sports attended the event.

During two days of meetings, which clearly showed increased sense of unity and understanding between IPC and its members, the GA was presented with an overview of IPC activities of the last two years as well as approved the Financial Budget for 2009 and the framework for 2010.

Nine National Paralympic Committees (Brunei Darussalam, Montenegro, Mozambique, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago) were ratified as members of the IPC. Furthermore, the International Archery Federation (FITA) joined the IPC as a member.

Furthermore, the IPC membership yesterday decided in favour of the re-inclusion of athletes with an intellectual disability (ID athletes) in competitions, including the Paralympic Games.

Four Organizing Committees, Vancouver 2010, London 2012, Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 reported on the status of their preparations for future Paralympic Games and distributed information to the delegates. The Beijing Olympic Development Association (BODA) reported on the success of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Said Sir Philip Craven, IPC President: “This General Assembly has been a landmark event for us. National Paralympic Committees from all over the world met and exchanged their views, numerous productive discussions arose during the meetings. I am confident that we are in an excellent position to face up to future challenges.

The Organizing Committee Chairman, Dato’ Zainal Abu Zarin, who is also the President of Malaysian Paralympic Council said: “MPC has won the bid in 2008 during the Beijing Paralympic Games. We have defeated Denmark and other 4 countries during the bid”. The countries have confidence in Malaysia hosting such international conference”. And as far as IPC is concern, this is the most successful IPC GA ever in the history of Paralympic movement. He added on, “Our Prime Minister is also the recipient of the highest award of the Paralympic Order which will be presented only to the President/Prime Minister of a country”.

*Prime Minister of Malaysia had been invited as VVIP of this 2009 IPC General Assembly