Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is our great honor and pleasure to invite all of you to the 9th AFLAS Congress 2023 and the 2023 KALAS International Symposium, which will be held at Jeju International Convention Center (Jeju ICC) in Jeju island on September 13 to 15, 2023.

For the past five years, AFLAS members have not been able to meet in person, due to the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 around the world. We are still going through a very difficult time to restore and advance global health and harmony. However, we are doing our best in our respective positions with the conviction that we can overcome these adversities. We look forward to seeing you in person on Jeju Island, Korea in 2023 to continue learning about laboratory animal sciences, making new friends, and strengthening our deep bonds of collegiality.

Many experts in various laboratory animal sciences attended the AFLAS Congress and KALAS International Symposium held so far, and thanks to the great interest and support of the participants, our scientific authority was successfully demonstrated.

Following on from the successful congresses and symposiums to date, the 2023 AFLAS Congress and the 2023 KALAS International Symposium will provide an opportunity to gain updated views and share innovative knowledge on laboratory animal sciences. It will be the best platform in terms of various and in-depth research and development of related biomedical sciences.

We will do our best to make your valuable participation scientifically rewarding, meaningful, enjoyable and happy experience.
We look forward to joining all of you in Jeju Island in September 2023!

Best Regards,

KilSoo Kim, D.V.M., Ph.D.
AFLAS President / KALAS President

Welcome to the 9^th AFLAS Congress 2023—Asian Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations

We are pleased and honored to host this important event from September 13 to 15, 2023, in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. AFLAS, which has held its congress every two years across Asia since 2004, had to postpone and finally cancel the previous congress in 2021 due to the long-lasting COVID-19 pandemic. So, the upcoming congress, which resumes in five years, will bring together many delegates from academia, research institutes, industries, and government. As of 2022, 11 laboratory animal science associations from each Asian country are active members of AFLAS.

AFLAS strives to organize a quality program and invite prestigious speakers to inspire participants’ vigorous discussions and rewarding exchanges. The 3-day main congress consists of approximately 30 unique sessions, such as plenary lectures, diverse scientific sessions co-organized with animal research institutes worldwide, educational sessions to improve Korean laboratory animal technicians’ capabilities, Nature Forum, and a public hearing for scientific policies on animal research. Nature Forum, a half-day session, will be especially co-organized and chaired by Lab Animal and Nature Immunology, which focuses on animal model for infectious disease. High-profile researchers will share their work in Nature Forum. The congress will also arrange a pre-congress workshops one day before the main congress meeting, so qualified experts can share their priceless experiences with young researchers in laboratory animal experiments and demonstrate cutting-edge knowledge and practices in animal treatment.

If you are interested in boosting your company’s visibility and promoting your best innovative technology, we happily welcome you to the AFLAS Congress 2023. Various sponsorship options are available for AFLAS Congress 2023, for instance, exhibition, advertisement, luncheon seminar. This would also enable participants to create valuable opportunities for academia and industry.

Jeju Island, where the 9^th AFLAS Congress will take place in 2023, is the southernmost island of the Korean Peninsula and is the only area in the world that has achieved the UNESCO World Heritage, Biosphere Reserve, and Global Geopark designation. We are also working with local authorities to arrange exciting social events, so participants can enjoy the memorable congress as well as the beautiful scenery of the island during your visit.

We strongly encourage you to join AFLAS Congress 2023 as soon as registration opens. I am confident your participation will enrich the event and expand the research perspectives of members and delegates. We cannot wait to welcome you to AFLAS Congress 2023 in one of Korea’s most memorable destinations!

Best Regards,

The AFLAS Congress 2023 Organizing Team

Je Kyung Seong, D.V.M., Ph.D., DKCLAM
Chair of the AFLAS Congress 2023 Organizing Committee