ISN GO Program Chair William Couser explains: "The ISN GO region of Russia and the Central Independent States encompasse 11 countries. In the past, most ISN programs in this region have focussed on Russia, particularly Moscow and St-Petersburg, and have been attended primarily by Russian nephrologists."

The meeting was one of the first ISN-sponsored meetings in this region outside of Russia. It was attended by about 170 nephrologists from 9 countries in the region including Kazakhstan, Azarbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgystan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Estonia as well as individuals from Austria, France, Germany and the US.

"It is a tribute to the regional committee that ISN was able to participate and showcase its programs in this meeting in Kazakhstan, 4000 km from Moscow, which involved 7 additional countries. We are very optimistic that this event will increase awareness of ISN in this important area and lead to greater opportunities for ISN to serve nephrologists from the central independent states through our GO programs."

Representatives of each of the regional countries chaired individual scientific sessions. ISN was represented by William Couser who gave an overview of ISN programs, chaired a session on "CKD and Glomerular Kidney Diseases" and gave translated lectures on "Pathogenesis and treatment of membranous nephropathy" and "Pathogenesis and treatment of minimal change disease/focal sclerosis in adults."

Find out more about applying for this program, HERE.