Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am delighted to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you as we gather in Hawaii, USA, for the 56th Annual SIOP Congress. It is with great enthusiasm that we anticipate yet another exceptional congress, and our Local Organising Committee, under the able leadership of Dr. Wade Kyono, is dedicated to ensuring a memorable experience in this extraordinary setting.
The Scientific Committee has diligently curated a program of unparalleled quality, featuring internationally acclaimed speakers and a diverse range of symposium topics designed to captivate and engage all participants.
In light of the unique circumstances we continue to navigate, I would like to inform you that this year’s congress will not offer a hybrid meeting format. The financial implications of such an arrangement post-COVID are regrettably prohibitive for our society. However, we understand the challenges many of our colleagues face in attending the SIOP Congress, and we are committed to providing session recordings for on-demand access. Moreover, we will collaborate with our continental branches to offer interactive activities based on these recordings.
As part of our ongoing commitment to support young professionals in low and middle-income countries, we are pleased to announce the availability of scholarships tailored for the Young SIOP group. I encourage all eligible individuals to apply for these scholarships and ensure that you persue your United States entry visa well in advance if needed.
The SIOP 2024 annual congress in Hawaii marks an exciting milestone for our organisation. Being situated in the United States, we anticipate valuable contributions from our North American colleagues and institutions, such as the Children’s Oncology Group. Simultaneously, the congress’s proximity to South-East Asia and Oceania promises to infuse our event with the expertise and insights of these dynamic regions. We are excited to come together to savour the unique charm of Hawaii as a destination.
As always, our scientific programme will encompass a range of global paediatric oncology topics, with a particular focus on research conducted by the cooperative groups participating in the PARC programme. We are developing a robust agenda that addresses global health-related subjects and explores updates related to the WHO Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer, where SIOP is recognised as a non-state actor.
The SIOP Congress continues to grow year by year, not only due to the academic excellence of our sessions but also because it offers a global platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
We eagerly await your presence at SIOP 2024 in Hawaii, and we encourage you not to miss this unique opportunity to stay at the forefront of the latest developments in your field. Your participation and contributions are invaluable to the success of our congress, and we look forward to creating memorable moments together.
Warm regards,
Guillermo Luis Chantada,
SIOP President
