This week, as many of us gathered at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Surgical Forum, I have been reflecting on what has been a truly energising period for the Association, particularly our recent engagement with colleagues at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).
It was a genuine privilege to represent the ASGBI at the SAGES Congress in Tampa. The meeting was outstanding, rich in innovation, collaboration and forward-thinking discussion, but what stood out most was the strength of our shared purpose as surgical communities striving to improve care for patients worldwide.
A particular highlight was the ASGBI/SAGES Sustainability Symposium. I could not have been prouder to see this session resonate so strongly with an international audience. It offered a powerful demonstration of how seriously we, as an Association, are embracing our responsibility towards sustainable surgical practice.
I had the opportunity to open the session by presenting our work on The Sustainable Congress, showcasing the practical steps we are taking to minimise environmental impact, working towards carbon neutrality and eliminating landfill waste. This was complemented by outstanding contributions from Adam Peckham-Cooper, our Director of Emergency General Surgery, and Anthony Chan, our Sustainability Lead, who delivered excellent talks on the Sustainable Appendicectomy and Sustainable Energy Use in the Operating Theatre. Together, these contributions highlighted that the ASGBI is not only participating in the sustainability conversation, but actively helping to shape it.
It was equally exciting to spend time with members of the SAGES faculty who will be joining us at our International Surgical Congress in Brighton next month. Their enthusiasm was palpable, and they will undoubtedly bring a wealth of innovation, expertise and global perspective to our programme. These collaborations are what make our Congress so special, creating an environment where ideas are shared, challenged and advanced.
Behind the scenes, ASGBI headquarters continue to work tirelessly to deliver what promises to be an outstanding Congress. Our focus remains to provide a meeting that is relevant, inclusive and inspiring for all of our members.
I very much look forward to welcoming colleagues and friends from across the UK, Ireland and around the world to Brighton. It is shaping up to be a truly memorable meeting, and I hope to see as many of you there.
All my best wishes,
Christian Macutkiewicz
President, ASGBI
