It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 14^th APLAR Congress of Rheumatology in Hong Kong.

Rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders are very common in the community. Rheumatologists, for long, have battled therapeutic nihilism. Current advances in understanding the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases have changed the therapeutic landscape in Rheumatology. Effective treatments are now available for several rheumatic diseases and rheumatologists have began to talk not about symptom relief but potential cure. Toward this end, the theme of the 14th APLAR Congress “Era of Biologics in the Asia Pacific” is very apt.

The Organizing Committee has drawn up a comprehensive and contemporary scientific programme where emerging trends complement existing knowledge, both in basic and clinical science.

Do join your colleagues from around the world for what promises to be an academically stimulating and intellectually enrichening Congress.

Prof. Rohini Handa
President Elect of APLAR