The 38^th International ISBT Congress took place in Barcelona, Spain from June 23 to 27, 2024. Co-hosted by the ISBT and SETS (Spanish Society of Blood Transfusion and Cellular Therapy) , the event had brought together over 3,000 transfusion medicine professionals from 115 countries and regions worldwide. The congress featured 56 scientific meetings and 9 seminars, and was attended by a total of 84 exhibiting companies.

During the congress, the cooperation agreement between CSBT and ISBT was renewed. Besides, an exhibiting booth was established by CSBT at the congress to promote the accomplishments of blood transfusion industry in China.

CSBT & ISBT Cooperation Agreement Renewed

Signing Ceremony

On the afternoon of June 24, 2024 local time, the annual working meeting of CSBT and ISBT was convened in Barcelona, and a new five-year cooperation agreement was signed. The attendees of the signing ceremony included board members from both sides and prominent figures. The attendees are as follows:

l ZHU Yongming, President of CSBT; LIU Jiaxin, CSBT Vice President; LV Hangjun, Chair of the Supervisory Committee; HU Wei, XIA Rong; LIANG Huaxin, Standing Council members; Zhai Qing from CSBT Administration Department;

l Michael Busch, ISBT Past President; Pierre Tiberghien, ISBT President; Jill Storry, ISBT Vice President; Erica Wood, Past President; Gwen Clarke, Secretary General; Eric Jansen, ISBT Treasurer and Jenny White, ISBT Executive.

Signing Moment

CSBT and ISBT have established a longstanding tradition of communication and cooperation.

In 2019, a cooperative agreement had been signed in Basel, Switzerland. Both sides agreed upon a shared mission, leveraging their respective strengths and resources in accordance with the principle of concerted endeavors:

l To hold at least one annual in-person or on-line working meeting for the purpose of exchanges and communications.

l To offer each other free booths at their respective blood transfusion congress.

l ISBT agreed to offer branch memberships to CSBT, while CSBT, in turn, to recommend Chinese expertise to ISBT.

l To enhance cooperation in exchange, education and training.

The meeting reviewed the cooperation between the two societies over the past 5 years and expressed satisfaction with the achievements. Additionally, at the upcoming 12^th National Congress of CSBT in Hefei, Anhui Province this September, an ISBT Satellite Session, fully funded by ISBT, will be held. Both sides discussed the detailed arrangements for the session.

Both sides have expressed their intention to further facilitate comprehensive communication and cooperation among the respective organizations, branches, and member institutes of both sides.

President ZHU Yongming and President Michael Busch exchanged congratulations.

After the signing, both sides engaged in a comprehensive dialogue, not only exploring the latest industry developments but also exchanging perspectives on domestic and international advancements. This agreement has not only enhanced mutual understanding but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Group photo of participants

CSBT Showcased at the 38^th International ISBT Congress

CSBT also established an exclusive exhibition area at the conference, marking its third appearance after the 2019 regional congress in Bangkok and the 2023 regional congress in Cape Town, and its inaugural exhibition at ISBT global congress. Ms. ZHAI Qing, the Director of the CSBT Administration Department, was in charge of the promotion and guiding of the exhibition area.

President ZHU Yongming, Vice President LIU Jiaxin, Chair LV Hangjun, Standing Council members HU Wei, XIA Rong and LIANG Huaxin, visited the booth of CSBT.

ISBT Executive Ms. Jenny White at the booth of CSBT

During the congress, President ZHU Yongming and his delegation, accompanied by Dr. Anna Millan, the director of the Blood Center, made a visit to the Barcelona Blood Center.

Source: CSBT Secretariat;

Translated by ZHU Shanshan;

Reviewed by JIANG Nizhen.