APLAR Milestones

Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) was established in 1963 in Sydney. Four nations, namely Australia, India, Japan and New Zealand together pronounced formation of the South East APLAR (SEAPAL). The first Congress was held in 1968 at the renowned Taj Mahal Hotel on the waterfront across the Gateway of India in Bombay (India). Since then, SEAPAL grew from strength to strength with many more participating nations joining the league. It was much later that it came to be known by its current name, APLAR.

The APLAR strives to propagate and consolidate Rheumatology endeavours in the Asia Pacific region. Towards this end, the APLAR publishes a journal, the APLAR Journal of Rheumatology. The APLAR Congress is the prime meeting organized by the APLAR every year. The conference brings together slot gacor rheumatologists, internists, orthopaedic surgeons, clinical immunologists, physiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, paediatricians and researchers from allied disciplines on a common platform for deliberations in the region regarding all aspects of musculoskeletal diseases. The APLAR is affiliated to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).

APLAR spearheads the fight against arthritis. APLAR’s mission and goals focus on providing state of the art care to patients with arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases through the continuing professional development of members, increasing the awareness and understanding about rheumatic diseases, patient advocacy and empowerment, and fostering research in the field of rheumatic diseases.

APLAR Milestones

1963
Formation of South-East APLAR (SEAPAL)

Formation of South-East APLAR (SEAPAL) by Four nations, namely Australia, India, Japan and New Zealand

1968
1st SEAPAL Congress

The first SEAPAL Congress was held at the renowned Taj Mahal Hotel on the waterfront across the Gateway of India in Bombay, India, participated by 400 participants

1975
SEAPAL Bulletin

Launch of SEAPAL Bulletin

1981
WHO-ILAR COPCORD

Formation of WHO-ILAR COPCORD 

1985
1st ILAR in Asia Pacific

16th ILAR Congress was held in Sydney, Australia with 3,000 participants.

This is the 1st ILAR ever held in Asia Pacific Country  

1990
Asia Pacific League Against Rheumatism (APLAR)

SEAPAL renamed to Asia Pacific League Against Rheumatism (APLAR) and held 1st APLAR Congress Symposium on Therapy of Rheumatic Diseases in Seoul, Korea

1994
Asia Pacific League of Associations of Rheumatology (APLAR)

Asia Pacific League Against Rheumatism becomes Asia Pacific League of Associations of Rheumatology

1997
19th ILAR @ Singapore

19th ILAR Congress was held in Singapore with 2,800 participants

1997
APLAR Journal of Rheumatology

Launch of APLAR Journal of Rheumatology

2005
APLAR Fellowship Grants

Launch of APLAR Fellowship Grants

2008
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases

Launch of International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases

2009
Everyday Counts Initiative

Launch of Everyday Counts Initiative

2012
ARISE

Launch of ARISE (Asia Pacific Rheumatology Intensive Scientific Education) with APLAR

2012
Research and COPCORD Grants

Launch of Research Grant and COPCORD Grant

2016
Master Award

Master Award was launched in 2016 in recognition of the outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through teaching, research, or professional services Prominent Rheumatologists of APLAR MNO

2016
Center of Excellence

Launch of Center of Excellence with 5 centres accredited in the first year 

2016
APLAR Special Interest Group

APLAR Special Interest Group was launched in September 2016.  The fields of the initial SIGs are SLE, RA, OA, Vasculitis, SpA and Genetics.

2018
APLAR Young Rheumatologist (AYR)

The APLAR Young Rheumatologist Group was launched in 2018 at the APLAR Congress in Taiwan.

2019
SIG Grant

SIG Grants was launched to support each individual SIG towards accomplishing their expected research activities.

2021
APLAR Annual Congress Grant

APLAR Annual Congress Grant was launched with the aim to support APLAR Young Rheumatologist (AYR) for attendance of the APLAR Annual Congress

2021
APLAR-CoE Exchange Programme

APLAR-CoE Exchange Programme was launched in 2020 with the objective to allow rheumatologists from member nations, especially from the developing countries, to learn from the APLAR certified Centers of Excellence. 

2022
APLAR Academy

APLAR Academy was launched in 2022 with the vision to provide timely, unbiased, evidence-based, rheumatology medical education and supplemental resources to help meet the educational requirements and provide enhanced patient care for APLAR members.