Editorial July 2023

The Pan American Week of Digestive Diseases (SPED) is a continental event that in the 2023 version, we will carry out as hosts, the Chilean Society of Gastroenterology (SChGE), led by its President, Dr. Claudia Defilippi; the Inter-American Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED), chaired by Dr. Fernando Fluxá, and the Pan-American Gastroenterology Organization (OPGE), of which I have the honor of chairing. The path of preparation for the SPED has not been without difficulties, but the 3 scientific organizations have made the greatest effort to have a great event, which will be held in Santiago de Chile from October 8 to 11. The designed program is of high quality and will be 100% face-to-face, so we hope to convene a large number of specialists from the Americas.

The OPGE program was developed by the steering committee, in conjunction with the SChGE Disciplinary Associations. In this coordination, I highlight the leadership of Dr. Alex Navarro and Dr. Juan Pablo Roblero, as well as the participation of Dr. Carolina Pavez (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Block); Dr. Edgardo Smecuol (Celiac Disease); Hugo Monrroy (Neurogastroenterology) and Pablo Cortés (Telemedicine). The Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer program has more than 15 international experts, highlighting the presence of the Maastricht group of experts including doctors Megraud, Malfertheiner and Rugge, as well as experts from the USA, such as doctors Peek, Huang and Shah. We have worked hard to have a great program and in the last 18 months we have been present in most of the national and international congresses, to disseminate SPED as well as the various activities that we develop at OPGE and SIED, so I think we are prepared for a great celebration of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy at a continental level.

All the information related to the SPED is available at https://sped2023.com, and both the early bird registration with reduced prices and the reception of abstracts for the presentation of free papers have been extended until July 20. . We are waiting for you!

Dr. Arnoldo Riquelme
President
Pan American Congress of Gastroenterology 2023