From October 2 to October 5, 2024, the 13th Asia Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society (APPES) and the Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology (ISPAE) Joint-Meeting was held in New Delhi, India. The meeting also took place online, focusing on the latest scientific research in pediatric endocrinology.  

On October 4, during the APPES Annual General Meeting (AGM), Professor FU Junfen, President of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (ZCH), was officially appointed as the APPES President and an inaugural speech was delivered.  

 Professor FU Junfen was officially appointed as the APPES President

 The name list of 2024 APPES council members

Introduction to APPES

The Asia Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society (APPES) was established in 1999. The society's membership spans the entire Asia-Pacific region. APPES aims to provide professional academic training and diverse development opportunities for healthcare professionals in the field of pediatric endocrinology across the Asia-Pacific region. It also seeks to address regional inequalities in pediatric endocrine care and enhance the region's international influence in this field. Through 23 years of development, APPES has distinguished itself within the international pediatric endocrine community, with its vast membership, broad geographic reach, and strong academic research focus, leaving a significant and lasting impact.

Professor FU Junfen’s inaugural speech

On October 4, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of APPES, Professor FU Junfen delivered her inaugural speech as the newly appointed president of the society. She began by reflecting on her journey with APPES, starting as a board member in 2010, serving as Secretary-General from 2014 to 2022, and becoming President-elect in 2022. She expressed deep gratitude to the board members for their support and said she was deeply honored to take on this important role.

Professor FU highlighted APPES’s mission, since its founding in 1999, to advance the treatment and education related to pediatric endocrine diseases and diabetes in the Asia-Pacific region. Confident in the future of APPES, she outlined three key priorities for her presidency:

1. Enhancing Global Visibility: Professor FU emphasized the need to increase APPES’s global influence through diverse promotional channels such as social media, newsletters, and press releases. By doing so, the society can share its activities and research more widely, attracting new members who are passionate about pediatric endocrinology.

2. Strengthening Education and Collaboration: she suggested the importance of enhancing educational and training initiatives within APPES, promoting both academic and clinical cooperation. She noted that the society’s future depends on the continuous development of its members. To support this, APPES will strengthen ties with international academic organizations and offer more opportunities for internal members, including regular meetings, workshops, and multi-level academic exchange programs. Additionally, APPES will provide short-term visits and exchange opportunities for doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals to foster mutual understanding and collaboration among members.

3. Promoting Multi-center Clinical Research: Professor FU also highlighted the importance of multi-center clinical research, particularly in the areas of rare diseases and complex cases. She noted that by leveraging the resources, experts, and patient populations from multiple member countries, APPES can contribute to large-scale international research projects. This will help develop international consensus and standards, as well as inform the creation of clinical guidelines tailored to the region.

In conclusion, Professor FU Junfen remarked that through the collective efforts of all parties, APPES will become a vibrant academic community, setting a standard of excellence in the field of pediatric endocrinology. She expressed her optimism for the future and her desire to work alongside all members to make greater contributions to the health of children in the Asia-Pacific region.

President FU Junfen delivered the inaugural speech in 2024 AGM

On October 5, Professor FU Junfen, as the President of APPES, chaired the new APPES council members’ meeting. The meeting covered several key topics related to the future development of APPES.

President FU Junfen hosted the new APPES council members’ meeting

At this meeting, experts and scholars from the global pediatric endocrinology field gathered to share the latest research findings and clinical experiences. Professor FU Junfen, serving as judge and reviewer, actively participated in academic discussions and provided commentary on key research outcomes.  

Professor FU Junfen as one of the judges in SIG meeting  

Professor FU Junfen commented on the scientific report  

Professor FU's appointment as the new President of APPES is not only a personal honor but also a significant step forward for China's pediatric endocrinology field on the international stage, and a representation to ZCH’s growing global influence. In the future, she will continue to lead the hospital in deeply engaging with global academic innovation, building international academic alliances, and promoting the development of a global pediatric health community, making greater contributions to the health of children in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

Source: Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine