Welcome Message from the Local Organizing Chair
PAPS 2027 Okinawa, Japan
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, it is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you to the Pacific Association of Pediatric Surgeons (PAPS) 2027 Annual Meeting in Okinawa, Japan.
It is a privilege to host this prestigious meeting and to welcome pediatric surgeons, trainees, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across the Pacific region and around the world. Your presence reflects our shared commitment to improving the surgical care of children through scientific excellence, education, innovation, and international friendship.
PAPS 2027 will be the eighth PAPS Annual Meeting held in Japan, following the most recent Japanese meeting in Sapporo in 2018. It is a great honor for us to once again welcome the PAPS family to Japan, this time to the beautiful island of Okinawa.
The spirit of PAPS has always been more than science alone—it is a family. Guided by the values of "One Family"and "Beyond Borders," PAPS has built a unique community where colleagues support one another, exchange ideas openly, and work together to improve the lives of children regardless of geography, culture, or healthcare system.
It is my great pleasure to work closely with our PAPS President, Professor John Meehan, whose outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication continue to strengthen our Association. Together with Professor Meehan and the PAPS Executive Committee, the Local Organizing Committee is committed to creating a meeting that reflects the very best traditions of PAPS while embracing the future of pediatric surgery.
Okinawa, known for its unique culture, breathtaking natural beauty, and warm hospitality, provides the perfect setting for our gathering. Home to both UNESCO World Natural Heritage and World Cultural Heritage sites, Okinawa offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience its rich biodiversity alongside the remarkable history and traditions of the Ryukyu Kingdom. April is one of the most delightful times of the year to visit Okinawa, with pleasant weather, fresh sea breezes, and comfortable temperatures. We hope that, beyond an outstanding scientific program, this meeting will strengthen old friendships, foster new collaborations, and create lasting memories for everyone attending. Above all, we hope you will discover a different side of Japan through the unique history, culture, and spirit of Okinawa.
Our entire organizing team is dedicated to providing an inspiring scientific program, outstanding educational opportunities, and memorable social events that celebrate both the diversity and unity of the PAPS family.
Thank you for joining us at PAPS 2027. We sincerely hope that your experience in Okinawa will inspire new ideas, deepen friendships, and further strengthen the bonds that unite us as One Family, Beyond Borders.
We look forward to welcoming you to Okinawa.
With warmest regards,
Satoshi Ieiri, MD, PhD, FACS
Local Organizing Chair
PAPS 2027 Okinawa, Japan