Peking University Third Hospital: The 15th Annual Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction Held in Beijing

Author: Kong Fei

https://www.puh3.net.cn/info/1971/174551.htm

From May 7 to 10, 2026, the 15th Annual Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE 2026) was held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. Academician Qiao Jie, Executive Vice President of Peking University Health Science Center, served as honorary president of the congress. Professor Li Rong, Vice President of Peking University Third Hospital and Director of its Center for Reproductive Medicine, served as congress president as the only Chinese member of the ASPIRE Board.

Professor Haroon Latif, President of ASPIRE, delivered the opening address. He briefly reviewed ASPIRE's development and noted that the Asia-Pacific region is under heavy pressure from a sharp decline in birth rates, making professional leadership and broad collaboration essential. ASPIRE has established a special task force on population sustainability and will continue to work closely with international organizations including the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. In her address, Academician Qiao Jie reviewed the development and major achievements of assisted reproductive technology in China. She expressed the hope that scientific collaboration would be strengthened, with a focus on large-sample, multicenter studies of diseases highly prevalent in East Asian populations and on the development of clinical guidelines suited to Asian populations.

Internationally renowned reproductive medicine expert Professor Luca Gianaroli gave a lecture titled "The Art of Assisted Reproduction." He noted that assisted reproductive technology is rooted in people-centered professional expertise and personalized medical care, cautioned against a shift from a consultation-oriented model to a marketing-driven one, and recommended tailoring treatment plans to each patient's individual expectations.

The congress featured six keynote lectures, 26 symposia, 12 free communication sessions, five rapid oral presentation sessions, five practical skills training courses, as well as country sessions, corporate symposia, special interest group exchanges, and a large exhibition. Leading experts from around the world held in-depth discussions on hot topics including the reproductive microbiome, the application of artificial intelligence in assisted reproduction, and fertility preservation.

During ASPIRE 2026, the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital, as the host institution, received expert teams in reproductive medicine from 32 universities, research institutes, medical institutions, and companies in 10 countries in 11 batches. It was the center's international exchange activity with the broadest country coverage and the largest number of participating institutions in recent years.

Venue of ASPIRE 2026, the 15th Annual Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction