It can't be the end of the year already! But here we are, reflecting back on the past 12 months. The IPBA had a very busy year, indeed. Major accomplishments included:

• A successful Annual Meeting and Conference in Hong Kong, where over 1100 delegates enjoyed a keynote speech by the inimitable Hon Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma; conference sessions skilfully organized by the IPBA committees; social activities including a visit to the Happy Valley Racecourse; a Silent Auction which raised money for the Music for Our Young Foundation; and various events that kept the delegates out late into the night. In addition, 10 Scholars were brought to the conference through the IPBA Scholarship Program.
• The incorporation of the IPBA in June.
• The two-year extension of the MoU with AIJA and IPBA. This is the second extension, representing the good relationship between our two like-minded associations.
• The IPBA-CIC Construction Conference in Hong Kong in September. This was the third year this conference was held.
• The IPBA/KLRCA Asia-Pac Arbitration Day in Kuala Lumpur. Arbitration is an important topic to many IPBA members, and other jurisdictions are expressing an interest in holding their own events on arbitration. Stay tuned!
• The IPBA 1st East Asia Regional Forum in Seoul. With the word "1st" in the name, we anticipate that this will be an annual event.
• A successful Mid-Year Council Meeting and Regional Conference in Dubai. The Regional Conference---on arbitration--- attracted close to 100 delegates from around the world, in our first-ever IPBA event in the Middle East.  

There is a renewed energy and enthusiasm in the IPBA, demonstrated by the increase in activities. Our membership is steadily getting bigger, too! We will keep up the momentum in 2016 to bring you more exciting and worthwhile programs, and of course, any member is welcome to take the initiative and plan an IPBA event. Just contact your local or regional membership leader, or the   IPBA Secretariat, and let us know what you're thinking!

We appreciate that our members come from diverse backgrounds, and observe different customs based on religious affiliation, personal beliefs, regional customs, and traditions. Whatever philosophy you follow, we offer you best wishes for a peaceful holiday season, and a great year ahead in 2016.