Dear distinguished colleagues and friends,

In my first update as the APAGE President to members of our gastroenterology community, I am happy to report I attended a fantastic first post-Covid face-to-face Asian Pacific Digestive Week at the world class Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand from 6th to 9th December 2023. Many handshakes, wide smiles and hugs were exchanged with renewal of friendships and bonds. We enjoyed the painstaking meticulous planning and sterling academic exchanges. We would like to congratulate the APDW 2023 Congress President, Somchai Leelakusolvong, and his team for the tremendous effort.

I am delighted to share that Justin Wu is now the President of Asian Pacific Digestive Week Foundation. We have much to thank him for helming the APAGE during the difficult years post pandemic. Much of the activities were held via Zoom or in a hybrid format curtailing many interactions previously taken for granted. We are fortunate as that as the APAGE Immediate Past President, Justin remains in the APAGE Executive Committee and will be an invaluable guiding light for us.

The new Executive Committee comprising Kai-Chun Wu (Xi’an), Raja Affendi (Kuala Lumpur), Wai-Keung Leung (Hong Kong) and myself have our work cut out. We will try to recapture the lost years by expanding the educational and research initiatives. To advance this agenda, we have invited a few motivated leaders to join us as co-opted Council members.

The two core work committees on Celiac and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases have put together comprehensive Asian Pacific meetings for the next year. The 1st Asian Pacific Celiac Disease Symposium will be held in New Delhi, India from 8th to 10th March 2024. “Danang 2024” – the 5th APAGE Clinical Forum on IBD - will be held from 5th to 6th April 2024. Please put these dates down in your calendar and make plans to join us.

Additionally, with the Council members, we will be looking into a few niche areas. These include task forces built around ESG (Environmental Social Governance) on green and sustainability issues, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Women & Leadership in Gastroenterology. We will provide further updates as these initiatives gain traction.

There will be much to do and we cordially invite comments, ideas and suggestions. You can write to me directly at president@apage.org or to Miss Molly Kong, Executive Director at apage@apage.com.

Finally, on behalf of the Executive Committee and Council members, best wishes for the holidays and the New Year. I hope you will be spending these special times with your loved ones and friends and I look forward to connecting in 2024.

Choon Jin Ooi
President, APAGE