The local structure around Mg2+ ions of a Magnesium substituted aluminophosphate, with the ATS structure (MgAPO-36, Mg/P=0.08), in the as-prepared and calcined state has been investigated by Mg K-edge XAS spectroscopy. High quality XAS data were collected using the solid-state fluorescence detector. Mg2+ is found to replace tetrahedrally co-ordinated Al3+ in the as-prepared state and remained intact even after calcination, thus yielding a highly active, solid acid catalyst.