MASONERÍA AL DÍA / Chilean assumes key role in Asia-Pacific Masonic Conference

Chilean assumes key role in Asia-Pacific Masonic Conference 

22-02-2026


The Grand Lodge of Chile participated in the seventh Masonic Conference of the Grand Masters of the Lodges of the Asia Pacific, held on November 29 and 30 in Mumbai, India, in which it was also incorporated into the executive committee of the Asia-Pacific Masonic Confederation. During the meeting, Álvaro Echeverría, Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge of Chile, was unanimously elected as executive secretary for the period 2026-2029.

The conference faced several previous difficulties. It was initially scheduled to take place in Melbourne, Australia, but had to be suspended after the death of the conference's executive secretary, Chris Craven. Subsequently, the Grand Lodge of the Philippines tried to organize the meeting, which was also not possible for logistical reasons, finally taking place in India. The meeting was attended by representatives of 20 grand lodges that make up the Asia-Pacific Masonic Confederation, a space that seeks to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the regions that make up the Asia-Pacific axis, in an international context marked by uncertainty and reconfiguration of leadership.


During the conference, it was agreed that the next biannual meetings will be held in 2027 in Lima, in 2029 in St. Petersburg, in 2031 in Tokyo and in 2033 in Lisbon. A preliminary preparatory meeting was also announced to take place in Chile during 2026. The new executive council was made up of the National Grand Lodge of France, the Grand Lodge of Japan, the Grand Lodge of India, the Grand Lodge of Peru and the Grand Lodge of Chile. Regarding the election of the executive secretary, it was reported that Álvaro Echeverría will hold the position, with the responsibility of articulating the communication and projection links between Latin America, Europe and Asia.


The Grand Lodge of Chile, as it will be recalled, maintains an active participation in international instances such as the Inter-American Masonic Confederation (CMI), the South American Masonic Confederation (COMASUD) and the World Conference of Grand Lodges of the World, consolidating its presence in spaces of Masonic coordination and dialogue at the global level. The Asia-Pacific Masonic Confederation plans to expand its membership in the coming years.