Welcome to the 62nd National Congress of the Italian Society of Rheumatology!

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 62nd National Congress of the Italian Society of Rheumatology, which is once again being held in the familiar setting of the Rimini Conference Centre, a place that has become symbolic for our scientific community.

The Congress is an essential event for all of us, not only for professional development, but also for discussion, collective growth and strengthening the bonds within our society. This year, the Congress has once again been accredited by the ECM (Italian Continuing Medical Education) to allow for even wider participation and to meet the needs of all colleagues.

The programme for this edition has been designed to offer a dynamic journey, rich in innovative content, open to interdisciplinary dialogue and future challenges.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the SIR, and to mark the occasion, we will be organising an opening ceremony that will include a session dedicated to the evolution of rheumatology: from its historical roots to new perspectives linked to artificial intelligence, with two highly knowledgeable speakers capable of conveying passion and enthusiasm.

In addition to the plenary sessions and institutional symposia, we are also confirming the formulas that have been so successful over the years: the Hands On courses, the “Meet the Expert” sessions, the “Question Time” sessions and the traditional Review Course on Saturday morning, which will offer participants the opportunity to update themselves on topics of great practical impact.

Ample space will also be reserved for oral presentations (including those in English) and poster displays, where we will have the opportunity to take stock of the research activities of national groups. As every year, we will reward the authors of the best presentations. We are also renewing the “Verso EULAR” initiative, which highlights the contribution of our young scientific community.

Our colleagues from SIRyoung will once again be protagonists this year, with a space dedicated to them, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the younger generation.

There will also be activities for health professionals, coordinated by For-Rheuma, and meetings with patient associations, key partners in the treatment process and in dialogue with institutions.

Once again this year, we will have our usual convivial and sporting event with the SIR RUN. After the great success of last year's edition, on Wednesday evening, running enthusiasts will be able to try their hand at two routes, 5 and 10 km, or a 5 km walking route.

As always, the success of this Congress depends on the quality of each of your contributions. I am confident that this edition will once again offer valuable insights, strengthening our sense of belonging to a vibrant, authoritative and constantly evolving Society.

In this spirit, and on behalf of the entire Executive Committee, I wish you stimulating days, rich in content and fruitful professional and personal relationships.

Enjoy the Congress!

Andrea Doria, President of the SIR