Despite the rapid development of technology in the diagnostics and treatment of cancer, death rates still remain high, and life expectancy after treatment is still low. This alarming trend can be observed all over the world, and the only way we can change it is through our collective efforts.

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It is therefore of the utmost importance that there is an international collaboration of oncologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, gastroenterologists and transplant experts. For this purpose IASGO attracts thousands of medical doctors from all over the globe to its largest official annual congress.

The World Congress differs from the other activities of the Association first and foremost by the wide range of its topics, including almost all modern issues in surgery, oncology, radiation therapy and organ transplantation. In particular, the previous year's achievements are discussed, and their future prospects and efficacy are assessed. Following the results of the Congress, international recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases are formulated. Thus, the event is not only of high scientific but also of practical significance for the world of medicine.

It is worth mentioning that the upcoming Congress is not IASGO's first event in our country. The exceptional meetings of the International Association were previously held at the Burnazyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center, as it is the official representative of the Russian branch of IASGO, but this year we are hosting the official annual congress for the first time. This event carries with it a determined sense of responsibility and respect. I am certain that after visiting the event of this magnitude in Russia, our specialists will be able not only to directly learn about the advances and challenges in the world of surgery, oncology, gastroenterology and related fields while becoming acquainted with the most advanced world experience, but also to demonstrate their own achievements and everything they have to show our foreign colleagues.

IASGO President

IASGO was originally founded in Amsterdam in 1988 as a unique multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary society in order to pursuit the mission of the globalization of medical knowledge. After the transition of IASGO Head Quarter from Greece to Japan, the annual IASGO World Congresses were held in Fuzhou, China in 2015, in Seoul, Korea in 2016, in Lyon, France in 2017, all with great successes.

This year, IASGO cerebrates the 30-year anniversary, and we are seeking your participation to make this Anniversary World Congress another landmark event for our organization Surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, biologists, and radiologists are encouraged to join forces with all the partners worldwide in order to realize the mission of IASGO. We believe that up-to-date medical practice and expertise could and should benefit all communities worldwide, and that they have to be available beyond any kind of discrimination – based on individual, institutional or national levels – to every patient suffering from challenging and life-threatening diseases. IASGO's leadership strives to implement this vision through a well-structured educational program with a global reach, which is teaching and promoting multi-disciplinary, collaborative approaches for treatment of intractable diseases. At the 30th Anniversary IASGO World Congress, we will emphasize on the new approaches to improve the quality of the multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal diseases worldwide, based on latest discoveries in the medical field.

The Local Scientific Program Committee and the IASGO Executive Committee have joined efforts to develop an outstanding multidisciplinary scientific program. The program includes world-renowned faculty as well as young specialists from all over the world. This will allow for networking and cross-fertilization among experts at various stages of their careers and diverse interests to promote further collaborative projects at an international level. It will also allow for increased international visibility for promising young IASGO members.

Last but not least, the social program of 30th Anniversary IASGO World Congress will be unique. Moscow is the capital of Russian Federation and offers many attractions as a living museum of cultural history. You can explore the Kremlin and meet Stalin's Seven Sisters. The venue will be located in one of these skyscrapers and you will experience the traditional Russian culture throughout the Congress. There will be many opportunities to enjoy Moscow masterpieces.

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