On behalf of the Asia Network of Research Resources Center (ANRRC), it is my great pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 2026 Annual Meeting, which will be held in this November in Gotemba, Shizuoka, Japan.

Last year we attend the ANRRC meeting at Bangkok, Thailand. Most of us are aware that we gathered at a historical moment defined by a new paradigm shift. On a global scale, encompassing the regions of Asia and Oceania, scientific research has formally entered into the "AI+" era. Within the life sciences, this era is characterized by research resources and big data acting as dual engines that drive every major breakthrough. From genomic archives to microbial repositories, from climate-associated biodiversity datasets to real-time epidemiological surveillance systems, our capacity to address future pandemics, food security crises, and environmental pollution will be largely determined by the prudence with which we utilize these essential resources. Data constitutes the new language of scientific discovery, while biological resources form its living lexicon.

Yet this vision is not new to ANRRC. Our organization was founded with remarkable foresight in the year of 2009, long before “data-driven” became a global pop song. Under the outstanding leadership of my predecessors, Professors Toshihiko Shiroishi, Yuichi Obata, Yeonhee Lee and Je Kyung Seong, with the steadfast guidance of our Executive Board and Committee, we have built a model of international collaboration that transcends borders, institutions, and disciplines. We have shared not only specimens, samples and genomic sequences, but trust and ambition. Our annual meetings—like this one—have matured into vibrant crucibles of exchange, where researchers from various countries engage in communication with mutual recognition and shared passion. These gatherings have laid solid foundations for integrating resources and data into the mainstream of life science investigation. The results speak for themselves: joint publications, shared platforms, and a growing culture of openness that is the envy of many other regions.

Now, we must look ahead. We are witnessing major shifts in science policy among various nations—Biotechnology-oriented fundamental research signifies the future development. Some country even cut the budget for basic study. But let me say this with absolute conviction: cooperation, sharing, and exchange are not optional luxuries; they are the eternal breath of science. Within the ANRRC territory, let us strengthen our data infrastructure, enrich our physical resource banks, and lower barriers to access and share. Let us empower young scientists, foster south-south and north-south dialogues, and champion interoperability across our diverse systems.

Together, we will build a research cooperation network that is not just larger, but stronger—one that can exchange idea and materials for in days, not months. Our goal is nothing less than to convert the wealth of Asian and Oceanian biodiversity and data into tangible solutions for healthier, happier, and harmony lives. The future does not wait for us, and it only demands that we advance in concert. Therefore, let us set out anew from the starting point of ANRRC meeting in 2026.