Dear Colleagues

It is my great honor to succeed Professor Pichet Udomratn as President of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA). Professor Udomratn has been a wonderful president. Over the past two years, he has been extremely enthusiastic about the development of the AFPA, contributing marvelous ideas and guiding important projects. Owing to his presence, the AFPA is now very well recognized in the Asia-Oceania region.

The AFPA is an important association for Asian psychiatrists. It is a core organization around which we gather to discuss problems and ideas related to mental health solutions from many countries. Asia is characterized by its diversity, and although we may have many differences, we also have many similarities. The experiences of one country are always useful to another. This congress is the perfect platform to meet old friends and to make new ones.

However, it is also true that the AFPA is still a relatively young association, and we therefore have many goals to achieve.

With your collaboration and support, I am honored to devote myself to increasing the presence of the AFPA and improving mental health in Asia for the next two years.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Shigenobu Kanba
AFPA President (2015-17)