Welcome Message from the President

It gives me great pleasure to extend this invitation for you to attend the 11th Congress of the APSR to be held on 19^th-22^nd November 2006 at the Kyoto International Conference Hall. This year we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the APSR since its launch in 1986.

The main theme of this congress is "New Horizons of Respirology - Harmonization Beyond Diversity" which encompasses the scope as well as the vision of the Society, to be explored in the third decade of our history. The Society witnessed a steady growth over two decades with 11,000 members spreading more than 12 Asian-Pacific countries/regions. The local organizing committee, with the full support of the Japanese Respiratory Society, wishes to meet the expectations of all the participants.

As a result, we have developed a congress programme which is full of both high quality science and practical knowledge in clinical medicine.

Some of the highlights are: a Satellite Symposium in Tokyo on respiratory physiology (ESAP2006 Tokyo, 18^th November); a Special Seminar on the creation of scientific papers (with a faculty of the Editors-in-Chief of APSR, ATS, ACCP and ERS); a Symposium on GOLD Revision 2006 (featuring six Executive Members), and many more symposia/seminars embracing major respiratory diseases common to this part of the world.

The participants will be most fortunate in acquainting themselves with the world famed beauty of Kyoto City with ample cultural heritage and a natural serenity. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for nearly 1,100 years and visitors can appreciate the genuine tradition of Japanese temples, shrines, gardens and most importantly, the warm hospitality of the people of the city. It is at its best in November with autumnal colour changes of maple trees and a pleasant climate.

I am fully convinced that this congress will provide you with memorable experiences both in scientific knowledge and cultural encounter.

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee and the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, we look forward to welcoming you in Kyoto in November 2006.

Yoshinosuke Fukuchi
President
11^th Congress of the APSR