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, December 2023

Dear Colleagues,

The second half of 2023 sees a substantial increase of in-person activities, so let me highlight a few of them and the important events that lie ahead.

First, the 22nd APCN, to be hosted by the Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN) in Seoul, is only a few months away (13 – 16 June 2024). The theme is Promoting Sustainable Kidney Health: The Asia Pacific and Beyond. The Scientific Program Committee chaired by Seung Hyeok Han (KR) and co-chaired by Muh Geot Wong (AU) and Lily Mushahar (MY) has crafted an exciting scientific program, and you are invited to view the latest Newsletters (4th edition of Newsletter, 5th edition of Newsletter) from the Organizing Committee. For the first time during the APCN, the Young Nephrologists Committee (YNC) chaired by Kornchanok Vareesangthip (TH) will hold an interesting Debate on Green Nephrology, with judges from the YNC, Exco/CME Committee and KSN. Finally and just as importantly, nominations for the Priscilla Kincaid-Smith and Kirpal Chugh Awards are ongoing and will close on 31 Dec 2023.

The 3rd APSN Exco and Council Meeting of 2023 was held on 2 Nov in Philadelphia during the ASN Kidney Week, with many members being able to attend in person. Congratulations to the Taiwan Society of Nephrology (TSN) for being selected the hosting Society of the 23rd APCN to be held from 5 – 7 Dec 2025 in Taipei City with a theme of Linking to the Future Kidney Health with GIVE – Gene, Immunology, Vast, mEtabolism at its Finest under the leadership of Mai-Szu Wu (TW). Stay tuned to further announcements in due course.

Both the 22nd and 23rd APCN will feature joint symposia with the ISPD and KDIGO to enrich the contents of the scientific program, thanks to the establishment of the respective MoUs that were previously reported.

As type 2 diabetes continues to be the leading cause of kidney replacement therapy, particularly in many Asian countries according to the latest USRDS report released on 31 Oct 2023, we are going to update the APSN Clinical Practice Guideline in Diabetic Kidney Disease to be led by Adrian Liew (SG). It is planned for completion in June 2024 to be published in our official journal Nephrology, edited by Yusuke Suzuki (JP).

Our CME activities have continued to be active throughout 2023. We have held joint APSN-host society symposia for 7 of our 8 Sponsoring Societies. From 2024, APSN will engage 4 Societies per year so that each will organise this symposium every other year to avoid overloading. Our webinars have continued to be popular including one on paediatric nephrology and one on HIF1-a stabilisation with ~4800 online participants. In addition, the CME Committee has helped to shape the scientific program in the emerging Nephrology Society in Vietnam.

As a continuous effort to boost capacity building programs, we have renewed the MoU with ISN in August 2023 to extend our support for Joint Fellowship, Sister Renal Center, Education Ambassador and Clinical Research Programs. In addition, an MoU with the Saving Young Lives Committee (SYLC, supported by ISN) was officially signed in Aug 2023. The SYLC is tasked to developing sustainable peritoneal dialysis programs to treat patients with AKI in low resource settings. Our Treasurer Prof CC Szeto (HK) and myself are the APSN representatives on the Committee.

On behalf of all Executive and Council members, we wish everyone a happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2024!

Yours sincerely,

Sydney Tang
President
Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology