The Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology aims to promote and encourage the advancement of scientific knowledge and research in all aspects of nephrology, and to promote the exchange and dissemination of this knowledge in the Asian-Pacific area. It has close links with all regional national societies of nephrology, and with the International Society of Nephrology (ISN).The APSN aims to cater specifically for the needs of the Nephrology community throughout the region, especially fostering the development of high quality nephrology in the less well developed countries of the region.

A Message from the President, July 2023

Dear Colleagues,

2023 sees a gradual resumption of travels across the world and I am delighted to report some very exciting progress of our Society.

First, the 21st APCN, a physical one after 3 years of virtual congresses, was successfully held in Bangkok in conjunction with the WCN'23. Thanks to the great efforts from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) led by Surasak Kantachuvesiri and the Scientific Program Committee (SPC) led by Matthias Kretzler (USA) for having unveiled a wonderful program that attracted over 3,200 participants from 132 countries to the Thai capital from 30 Mar – 2 Apr, where the APSN Executive Committee also convened a meeting on 30 Mar 2023 and welcomed two new members, Dr. Lily Mushahar representing the Malaysian Society of Nephrology, and Professor Mai-Szu Wu representing the Taiwan Society of Nephrology. APSN is grateful to the contributions of Prof. Halim Adbul Gafor and Prof. Shang-Jyh Hwang from the two respective Societies for their support over the years. Among the various items discussed, let me highlight the nomination of Dr. Katherine Barraclough (AU) as the APSN representative to the ISN's green nephrology and sustainable kidney care delivery program or simply the GREEN K initiative that aims to achieve low-carbon kidney services.

APSN EXCO Gatherings

The 22nd APCN to be hosted by the Korean Society of Nephrology in Seoul from 13 – 16 Jun 2024 is only a year away. The LOC chaired by Prof. Jung Pyo Lee invited Prof. Masaomi Nangaku (ISN President), Prof. Muh Geot Wong (APSN CME Chair and APCN 2024 SPC Co-Chair) (AU) and myself (HK) to meet with LOC members in Seoul on 27 April 2023 to plan the APCN 2024, which will be 14 years after the KSN last hosted the 12th APCN. The theme will be Promoting Kidney Health: The Asia-Pacific and Beyond, and abstract submission will be open soon. Please make plans to visit South Korea's capital city – view promotion video.

To strengthen ties with other international nephrology organisations and broaden the horizon of our Society, I am pleased to report that APSN has recently signed MoUs with the ISPD, KDIGO and the Saving Young Lives Committee. It is envisaged that, among the many objectives, there will be reciprocal educational symposia at their Congresses/Meetings and at the APCN. The full MoUs can be read here.

The 2nd APSN Executive Committee meeting in 2023 was held on 15 Jun 2023 during the ERA Congress in Milan. Among the various items discussed, it was agreed that a separate APCN be held in a year when the WCN is to be hosted by an Asian national society of nephrology that is not sponsoring the APSN. The APCN for that year should be reasonably apart from the WCN temporally.

APSN office-bearers held a retreat in Hong Kong on 7 Jul 2023 to lay down future plans for our Society, and I hope I can report to you the achievements from some of these plans in due course.

Meanwhile, I hope you can have a wonderful vacation over July and August!

Yours sincerely,

Sydney Tang
President
Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology