Rheumatology in the Asia Pacific has come a long way since APLAR was established over 40 years ago. Explosion in our knowledge of the pathogenesis and treatment of many common rheumatic disorders in recent years has put rheumatology through to an era of excitement. Many of us are now engaged in advanced rheumatic disease research, and patients look forward to a 'cure' of their condition. Increasingly, Asian names appear in leading scientific journals and major international rheumatology congresses. Rheumatologists from the Asia Pacific are also growingly involved in major multi-center clinical trials, not just as investigators but also as members of steering and monitoring committees. Indeed, many major pivotal trials have their origin in Asia. The APLAR Congresses have made significant advances in the past 2 decades, too. The attendance has gone up from the typical hundreds only in the 1980s to thousands these days. In the past, we relied on scholars from the West to update us on the latest developments in rheumatology. These days, many of the state-of-the-art and advances lectures, symposia and workshops are conducted by 'ourselves'. Another sign of our growing status is that major international congresses are now being held in Asia. For example, the International Congress on SLE will be staged in Shanghai in 2007, the second time that the congress is held in Asia. Incidentally, the chairmen of both Asia lupus congresses, Dr. PH Feng and Dr. SL Chen, were past presidents of APLAR. For APLAR's contribution to the promotion of rheumatology in this region, the Arthritis Foundation of USA presented to us the Marriott Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

The above are some evidence of how far rheumatology in Asia has progressed in recent years. APLAR must maintain this tide and continue to push Asia Pacific to the forefront in world rheumatology. To do this, the various Special Interest Groups and standing committees are encouraged to organize regional scientific projects and meetings; the APLAR Fellowship program will be better structured; the Journal has to increase in scope in both its content and circulation; the bi-annual congresses are to be merited on their scientific programs; and APLAR and member nations will continue to collaborate with other global rheumatology organizations.

While we celebrate our successes, we must not forget that many countries in the Asia Pacific are still struggling, with a flail economy, to have rheumatology as a subspecialty in medicine. Help is needed for our poorer neighbors. The Journal is participating in a global theme issue on poverty and human development. Countries where rheumatology is neglected are encouraged to join APLAR for comradeship, as well as joint promotion of rheumatology as a major subspecialty in medicine. The COPCORD group will continue to be supported for their work to better understand the extent of rheumatic diseases in developing countries, and how help may be offered. Better off member nations are asked to receive fellows from these countries for training purposes. A lot needs to be done.

To accomplish the above, I am grateful to my predecessors for laying down the foundation and attaining a united front amongst member nations. With these, and the vibrancy that is sieving through the new Executive Committee, I am hopeful that many of our goals can be achieved and that APLAR will continue to grow from strength to strength, without boundaries.

Professor CS Lau
President
Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology