Abstract

Welcome Message from the President of Asian Pacific Digestive Week 2021 Dear Colleagues and Friends, Greetings! The world is in a race to contain the Covid-19 pandemic as cases surge sporadically in different parts of the world, in particular, in recent months in Malaysia. As a result, increased precautionary measures and restrictions on all activities have been implemented in order to stem the tide to protect our communities and our loved ones. In alignment with this effort, the Local Organising Committee has made the difficult but necessary decision to transform the APDW 2021, with the theme of ‘Vision of Excellence in Digestive Disorders & Sciences’ to a virtual conference, scheduled on 19 -22 August 2021. We are committed to maintain the high standards of the meeting while safeguarding the health and safety of all our participants. APDW has always served as a critical forum for education, promoting knowledge exchange, clinical expertise, research innovation, while serving as a platform for networking and forming genuine connections. We will continue to serve these purposes as we offer a virtual postgraduate course, pre-congress workshops, live endoscopy streaming, scientific lectures that showcase the up-to-date information with the latest innovations in the field of gastroenterology, hepatology, gastrointestinal surgery, endoscopy, career advancement symposia with many lectures including special symposia on Covid-19 led by distinguished key opinion leaders from all over the world. Despite the uncertain times we all find ourselves in, we will continue to deliver world-class education to sustain clinical and research efforts that may very well lead to significant scientific discoveries in the near future. Allow me to also take this opportunity to extend my deepest personal appreciation for your continued support, as it is you, our most valued participants, that will bring everything Virtual APDW 2021 aspires to be, into reality. My sincere thanks, also, to the gifted scientific chairs and committee members who are giving their all to continuously deliver excellence. I look forward to welcoming you virtually in August 2021.