News and Updates

During the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, held in Banten in July, Honorary Fellowships of the Indonesian Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FISOG) were presented to distinguished international leaders in O&G.

The recipients of the Fellowships were:

• Professor Frank Louwen – President, FIGO
• Dr Nisha Khot – President, RANZCOG
• Professor John Tait – President, AOFOG
• Dr Bhaskar Pai – President, FOGSI
• Dr Jared Watts – Vice-President, RANZCOG
• Professor Rohana Haththotuwa – Secretary General, AOFOG
• Professor Benjamin Bopp – Past President, RANZCOG
• Professor Vijay Roach – Past President, RANZCOG
• Dr Rishma Pai – President-elect, IFFS; Past President, FOGSI
• Dr Hrishikesh Pai – Past President, FOGSI
• Dr Nandita Palshetkar – Past President, FOGSI
• Professor John Svigos – Senior Representative, RANZCOG

They were recognised for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of women's health, education and international professional collaboration. 

In addition to receiving Honorary Fellowships at the meeting in Banten, they contributed to the scientific program as external examiners, keynote speakers, panellists and invited faculty. 

In doing so, they further strengthening the exchange of knowledge and global partnerships.

Professor Hendy Hendarto
ASPIRE Country Representative for Indonesia

Highly respected reproductive medicine specialist, Dr Padma Rekha Jirge, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Fertility & Reproduction, the official journal of ASPIRE.

Dr Jirge brings extensive clinical, academic and leadership experience to her editorial role with F&R. 

She completed her Clinical Research Fellowship in Assisted Reproductive Technology at the University of Glasgow between 1995 and 1997 laying the foundation for a distinguished career in fertility and reproductive health.

Dr Jirge has been practising in Kolhapur since 1998, and her expertise includes IVF treatment, fertility preservation and reproductive endocrinology. She has also made major contributions to academic research in reproductive medicine.

She is a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a Fellow of the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Dr Jirge, who is President of the Fertility Preservation Society of India, previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences and later as deputy editor of F&R.

Recently she was honoured with full membership of Sigma Xi, the international scientific research society founded at Cornell University in 1886. This honour recognised Dr Jirge’s research on ovarian reserve, IVF outcomes and female genital tuberculosis-related infertility.

Sigma Xi features more than 200 Nobel laureates among its members including Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Francis Crick and Jennifer Doudna.

F&R is dedicated to the publication of original clinical and scientific research and review articles on the entire field of reproductive medicine and surgery. The journal will also consider publishing case reports and clinical trial outcomes.

Dr Jirge said: "F&R is the most appropriate platform for publishing high quality original research and, with Scopus indexing, the visibility has increased as seen by the increasing number of citations and submissions.  

“I urge researchers in the field of reproductive medicine from Asia Pacific region and beyond to consider it as a journal of choice to showcase their original work.”

ASPIRE will welcome the world’s first IVF baby, Louise Brown, as a special guest at its 2027 Congress in Yokohama, Japan from 6 to 9 May.

Louise was born in England on 25 July 1978 and given the middle name Joy by Dr Patrick Steptoe, who delivered her by Caesarean section. Dr Steptoe said her birth would bring joy and hope to childless people around the world.

“Being the world’s first IVF baby has taken me to all corners of the world,” Louise said. “I am passionate about breaking the silence on all things fertility and ending the taboo about getting help for fertility issues or being born through scientific means. 

“I enjoy making media appearances and attending events to explain how IVF came about and lending help and support to all those trying to conceive and those who work in IVF and the science that brought me into the public eye. 

“My birth was the result of pioneering work by Patrick Steptoe, obstetrician and gynaecologist, and Robert Edwards, biologist and physiologist, helped by research assistant and nurse Jean Purdy. 

“It was the most remarkable medical breakthrough of the 20th century and also meant the end of 10-year journey by my parents, Lesley and John Brown, who had been trying to conceive.” 

Louise is an ambassador of the International Federation of Fertility Societies More Joy Campaign to develop and support policies that reduce infertility risk factors and make fertility care more accessible, affordable and fairer.

In welcoming Louise to the 2027 Congress, ASPIRE will celebrate almost five decades of IVF and the birth of around 17 million babies through the technology. The Congress will focus on how far assisted reproductive technology has advanced, and the possibilities ahead.

Zen and Innovation: Harmony in Reproductive Medicine is the theme of the 2027 ASPIRE Congress in Yokohama.

Professor Yutaka Osuga, Chair of the Congress Local Organising Committee, says the theme “beautifully captures the essence of how a calm and enlightened approach paves the way for best practices amidst the rapid advancement of technology.”

Japan is a leader in reproductive medicine reporting the highest number of IVF/ICSI cycles worldwide.

Professor Osuga said the Congress would deliver a diverse array of topics at the leading edge of assisted reproduction with inspiring regional and international lecturers.

May is an enchanting time to visit Japan and Yokohama, a 30-minute train ride from the heart of Tokyo, is a waterfront city perfectly blending heritage, culture and innovation.

Registration for the Congress will open on 31 August 2026 and early bird registration closes on 18 December. The abstract submission deadline is 6 November.

For more information, go to https://aspire2027.com

ASPIRE has refreshed its website – https://www.aspire-reproduction.org – to a more modern, user-friendly and engaging platform.

The site features streamlined membership access allowing members to:

• log in to view all available registered and unregistered programs at a glance; 
• download certificates for completed programs;
• view membership numbers and expiry dates;
• download invoices; and
• renew membership fully online.
• Access the Educational Portal 

Registration for all EduConnect programs can now be done directly on the website and viewed on the member portal. Masterclass registration is also available on the site.

The Educational Portal has recently undergone a revamp and has now been relaunched. All past programmes are also available on the portal for easy access and reference.

The website will evolve with continuing updates and members can look forward to a dedicated ASPIRE mobile app combining vital information into an easily accessible experience.

Australia’s assisted reproductive technology sector is entering an important period of transition to strengthen safety, quality, oversight and transparency.

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has outlined a national reform program designed to improve the experience of patients, donors, donor-conceived people and families engaging with fertility care. 

A consultative program informed the program including engagement with donor-conceived people, donors, people who have used ART services, including egg freezing, and those who have supported someone through ART treatment.

A key component of the reform agenda is the development of an independent national accreditation scheme for ART services based on updated national safety and quality standards.

The standards will cover:

• performance monitoring metrics; 
• workforce and staffing guidance; and
• safety requirements for new and emerging technologies.

Until the new accreditation scheme is fully operational, the current regulatory framework will remain in place with the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee continuing to manage accreditation, certifications and annual surveillance audits. 

The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand has welcomed continued collaboration between governments, regulators, professional bodies, clinics and the wider community as the reform program progresses.

For further information go to https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/assisted-reproductive-technology-sector-reforms

ASPIRE was proud to take part in two major reproductive medicine meetings in Asia in the month of July: PITPOGI 2026 (Indonesia) and JSFI 2026 (Japan), reaffirming our commitment to education, collaboration, and the growth of the reproductive medicine community across the region.

At PITPOGI 2026, ASPIRE contributed to the scientific programme through a keynote lecture by Professor Jung Ryeol Lee, who presented "Translational Research in Ovarian Function Restoration: From Unmet Needs to Scientific Advances." His talk explored the latest developments in ovarian function restoration and sparked lively discussion among delegates.

At JSFI 2026, ASPIRE organised a dedicated scientific session with distinguished faculty members Dr David Chan, Dr Hong Yuan Huang, Dr Keshav Malhotra, and Dr Haroon Latif. Their presentations spanned a wide range of topics — time-lapse incubator efficacy, microfluidics-based sperm selection for male factor infertility, digital traceability and quality management in IVF laboratories, and practical applications of artificial intelligence in IVF clinics.

Beyond the scientific sessions, ASPIRE also maintained an on-the-ground presence at both congresses, engaging delegates on membership benefits, educational programmes, and professional development opportunities while connecting with the local fertility communities.

We are grateful to everyone who stopped by our booths, joined our sessions, and engaged with us. ASPIRE looks forward to building on these partnerships as we continue to support education, collaboration, and excellence in reproductive medicine throughout the Asia-Pacific region.