[2] The main objective of the Centre is to promote professional competence, awareness, and preservation of cultural heritage in the fields of archaeology and fine arts in Southeast Asia.

It was in this same year, SEAMEO launched the Applied Research Center for Archeology and Fine Arts (ARCAFA) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Being a project, the SPAFA organizational structure consisted of a Coordinating Unit which was based in Bangkok, and a network of Sub-Centres established in the participating member countries.

[6] Arising from the needs expressed by the member states through visits and surveys by the working team to prepare the project personnel, it was decided that the nature of activities of SPAFA would be in five areas; i.e.

In 1984, SPAFA began to work out its future plan which would enable it to play a bigger role along with other SEAMEO Centres for improvement of the quality of life of the peoples in Southeast Asia.