Featured Topics

APSID-JSIAD 2024 Leads the Way with Sustainable Initiatives

The 7^th Annual Scientific Meeting for the Japanese Society of Immunodeficiency and Autoinflammatory Diseases and the 5^th Asia Pacific Society for Immunodeficiency Congress (APSID-JSIAD) were held as a combined congress on March 22-24, 2024 at the Sola City Conference Center, Tokyo to great success.

The Congress was chaired by Professor Hirokazu Kanegane of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and was held under the theme of "Beyond the Border" with presentations on the latest research on primary immunodeficiency syndrome, a rare disease. The Congress attracted many doctors and researchers from around the world, mainly from Asian countries, with a total of more than 400 participants (including about 150 from overseas). There was also a further 200 online participants from both Japan and overseas.

This was the first time the Japan Society for Immunodeficiency and Autoinflammation hosted an international congress. They emphasized delivering a sustainable conference including both environmental and diversity initiatives and utilizing the Sustainability Guidelines for Business Events in Tokyo (*1)" published by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB), TCVB's "Sustainable Event Support Desk (*1)" and TCVB's subsidy for sustainable business events.

Below are some of the sustainable initiatives that were seen at APSID-JSIAD 2024.

Environmental Initiatives

1. Venues offering renewable energy were selected
2. The program and abstract were distributed on the internet and digital signage/screens were used at the venue to reduce waste
3. One-use plastics usage was reduced by:

• Installation of water servers in venues
• Distribution of reusable eco-mark certified tumblers to reduce the use of paper and plastic cups
• The use of trash cans made from cardboard with English instructions on garbage separation

4. Pre-registration was implemented for luncheon seminars to reduce food loss
5. Recyclable materials were selected for conference items

• Recycles plastic for name bag straps
• 100% cotton, unbleached conference bag with eco mark

6. The venue for the social event was within walking distance of the main congress venue
7. Use of TVCB's Carbon Footprint Calculator for Business Events in Tokyo (*2) to provide the organizers with the environmental impact of the event

Diversity Initiatives

1. Food diversity initiatives

• Vegetarian and Muslim-friendly lunches were available for those who registered in advance
• Vegetarian and Muslim-friendly cuisine was available at the reception, at separate tables with the ingredients clearly marked

2. Religious diversity initiatives

• As there were a lot of Muslim participants, prayer rooms were set up and clearly signposted in the venue for daytime prayer, equipped with prayer mats and Qibla compasses

3. Employment diversity

• An employment support organization was used to prefer the conference logo stickers on eco-friendly tumblers

Notification of participants

Information about the Congress's sustainable initiatives was displayed on the website and on signage around the venue. It was also included in the coverage of the Congress on the website after the event's conclusion.

APSID-JSIAD 2024: Approach to SDGs

Participants were surveyed about the Congress's sustainable initiatives. While some participants said that they would have liked the method of viewing the program and abstract to have been more clearly explained, a large number of participants said that they felt that the initiatives were very effective and that they were happy to take part in such initiatives. Many also noted that sustainability is the global standard for business events and must be considered in all events.

Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau will continue supporting organizers in hosting sustainable events, making efforts to advance sustainable initiatives and publishing examples of advanced sustainable initiatives on our website.