ORTHOPAEDIC surgeons from across Asia Pacific will be gathering in Cairns for a conference themed around the use of artificial intelligence, robotics and augmented reality in their profession.
Cairns Convention Centre will host the 24th Congress of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA) from April 9-12, 2025.
The four-day event will bring together global leaders in orthopaedics and is expected to attract around 1,500 delegates to share expertise and ideas.
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The Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA) is a regional-specific organisation of orthopaedic surgeons with over 65,000 members from 40-plus countries and regions, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
APOA president, Jamal Ashraf, told members that the convention centre’s location would “offer attendees an unforgettable cultural and travelling experience” noting its proximity the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest, while Cairns international airport is a 10-minute drive away.
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On the conference theme, Ashraf said: “We are eager to explore the transformative impact that artificial intelligence, robotics, and mixed reality will have on the future of healthcare.
“This conference aims to drive advancements in the respective subsections of APOA,” he said, referring to specialist fields in orthopaedics.
Marinis Pirpiris, associate professor and Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association Congress president for 2025, said: “I am looking forward to everyone experiencing the future of orthopaedics at the 2025 Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association Congress in breathtaking Cairns. Here, cutting edge healthcare innovations, artificial intelligence, robotics and mixed reality will come together to transform healthcare.
Congress guests will have the unique opportunity to engage with pioneering technologies, connect with global experts and explore bold, new frontiers in orthopaedics. I look forward to greeting colleagues from across the world in Cairns, where inspiration, learning and the wonders of Queensland promise an unforgettable experience.”
– Marinis Pirpiris, APOA president
Janet Hamilton, general manager at Cairns Convention Centre, said: “Hosting the congress is an honour for us. Our venue, equipped with advanced hi-tech facilities, combined with Cairns’ unique natural beauty and the region’s ties with the medical community, provides an exceptional environment in which to nurture innovation and collaboration in healthcare. We are committed to ensuring a memorable experience for all delegates and look forward to welcoming them next year.”
The North Queensland region is home to experts in tropical health and life sciences. In July, Cairns hosted the Viruses of Microbes (VoM) 2024 Conference.
A partnership between Cairns Convention Centre, Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef, with funding from Cairns Regional Council, secured the conference.
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Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive, Mark Olsen, said the international conference would bring A$6.6 million in direct economic value to Cairns with additional tourism expenditure from pre and post touring.
“We anticipate that many of the 1,500-plus delegates will take the opportunity to travel with friends and family and explore one of the world’s oldest rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef,” Olsen said.
Main image: Cairns Convention Centre – the venue for the 24th Congress of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association in April 2025
