Introduction
 
Accelerator-based science in Asia has made remarkable progress in the last two decades, and the trend will certainly continue into the next century. There already exist two e⁺e^- colliding machines ( BEPC/China and TRISTAN -KEKB/Japan ), a proton synchrotron ( PS/Japan ), and several electron storage rings used as light sources ( BSRF and HLS/China, Photon Factory and SPring8 /Japan, PLS/Korea, TLS/Taiwan, and INDUS/India ). In addition, another storage ring is being built in Thailand. As a result, there are growing activities in Asia through the design, construction and operation of these accelerators, and experiments with them in the fields of particle physics, nuclear physics, materials and biological sciences. Accelerators have also become an indispensable instrument in medical and industrial applications.
 
Considering the current pace of development and the increasing role of accelerator-based science in the future, we find it timely to establish a forum, the Asian Committee for Future Accelerators (ACFA), to discuss and practice the means of further promoting accelerator-based science together in Asia.
 
Purpose and Guideline
 
The primary purpose of ACFA shall be to strengthen regional collaboration in accelerator-based science. In particular, ACFA seeks cooperative ways

• to facilitate efficient utilization of existing human and material resources,
• to bring up scientists of the next generation, and
• to encourage future projects in Asia and to make recommendations for them to governments.

• ACFA is open to any active region in Asia which is willing to contribute to the advancement of accelerator-based science.
• ACFA is not intended to displace or supersede any existing organization.
• ACFA will closely cooperate with ICFA (International Committee for Future Accelerators).

• 1a. regular meetings of the Plenary ACFA;
• 1b. schools, symposia, workshops, and conferences sponsored or organized by ACFA, or jointly with other organizations;
• 1c. study groups for special issues, set up by ACFA, or jointly with other organizations;

• 2a. Any active region in Asia can take part in ACFA.
• 2b. When a new active region wants to participate in ACFA, it identifies its representatives, and it proposes them to the Chairman of ACFA in a written statement. The proposal should be approved in the Plenary ACFA meeting.

• 4a. A Plenary ACFA meeting, attended by the representatives from all participating regions, is normally held every year and makes decisions on all ACFA activities based on the consensus of the representatives.
• 4b. Representatives
   
  Every participating region appoints its representatives, three at maximum, to the Plenary ACFA from the following fields:
   
  
  • Accelerator Physics
  • Particle and nuclear physics
  • Light and neutron spallation sources

  Because of importance of medical and industrial applications representatives are expected to cover these areas as well. The term of a representative is two years. A single representative can serve for no more than two consecutive terms.

• 4c. Officers
  

  The Plenary ACFA elects from its participating regions a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, who then nominate respectively a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary.
   
  The Chairman is responsible for the day-to-day running of ACFA. When the Chairman is absent, the Vice-Chairman may act for him. The Secretary and Deputy Secretary carry out the office duties under instructions from the Chairman.
   
  Each officer serves for a single term of two years. Upon completion of each term, the Vice-Chairman and Deputy Secretary become respectively the Chairman and Secretary for the succeeding term.

• 4d. Conference etc.
   
  The Plenary ACFA organizes Asian Particle Accelerator Conference (APAC) by selecting the host institution for the conference. The Plenary ACFA can also sponsor or organize schools, workshops or symposia.
   
  
• 4e. Study group
   
  Whenever needs arise for special issues, the Plenary ACFA can set up ad hoc study groups, which can join with other organizations if necessary.

• 5a. The Plenary ACFA may grant observer status to countries or regions which agree to make a significant contribution to ACFA's activities.
• 5b. Observer status is also accorded to national or international laboratories or organizations which are judged to be important for ACFA's activities.
• 5c. Observers can participate in the discussions of the Plenary ACFA unless otherwise decided for particular issues.