On 25 June, Hong Kong will once again host one of the most stimulating days on the respiratory diseases calendar. The APACI Respiratory Diseases Conference 2026 — Collaborative Responses to Fresh Challenges — will bring together an exceptional group of scientists, clinicians, and public health leaders from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond for a full day of presentations, panel discussions, and meaningful exchange.
This year’s meeting will take place at the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong and will run as a hybrid event. Whether joining in person or online from elsewhere in the world, participants are warmly invited to take part.
The theme of this year’s conference reflects the rapidly evolving landscape of respiratory diseases. H5N1 continues to evolve, while post-COVID shifts in the epidemiology of influenza and RSV are only beginning to be fully understood. At the same time, new vaccine platforms are maturing, and the challenge of translating evidence into action across health systems and populations has never been more urgent. The program has been designed to reflect these developments.
The conference will open with Professor Joseph Wu addressing vaccine hesitancy in East and Southeast Asia. Session 1 will then focus on influenza, with Professor Hui-Ling Yen presenting on H5N1 risk assessment and viral evolution, Professor Jessica Wong on estimating influenza severity and real-world impact, Professor John Tam on the updated WHO Public Health Research Agenda, and Professor Paul Tambyah on the research response to pandemic threats.
Session 2 will broaden the focus to RSV, COVID, pneumococcal disease, and emerging threats. Professor Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran will examine post-COVID patterns in influenza and RSV migration dynamics, Professor Terapong Tantawichien will address advances in RSV and pertussis prevention in adults, and Professor Tommy Lam will explore the growing importance of vector-borne diseases in the region. Professor Sook San Wong will also present on the ISRV Hong Kong School of Respiratory Viruses for early career scientists, highlighting an important capacity-building initiative in the region.
Following lunch, Session 3 will focus on vaccines across the lifespan. Professor Ji Yun Noh will share updated evidence from Korea on protection in older adults, Dr Raja Dhar will address the challenges of vaccinating elderly and frail populations, and Professor Colin Russell will discuss combination vaccines and their potential global impact. Session 4 will then turn to treatment, with Professor Ivan Hung and Professor David Hui covering RSV monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulating agents for influenza.
Hong Kong in late June offers a vibrant setting for the meeting, and the InterContinental Grand Stanford provides an excellent venue. Most importantly, the programme reflects the current state of the science and the priorities facing the field today.
Registration details are available at APACI.asia
