Dear Colleagues,

Dear Friends,

It is my great honor and pleasure to extend our warm invitation to you on behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 2019 WFNS Special World Congress hosted by the Chinese Medical Doctor Association September 9-12, 2019 in Beijing, China under the auspices of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS).

Founded in 1955, The WFNS is a professional and scientific non-governmental organization comprised of 130 members including 5 continental associations, 119 national or regional neurosurgical societies and 6 affiliate societies. WFNS is the highest academic organization of neurosurgery and the family of all neurosurgeons around the world. The WFNS Congress plays an important role in enhancing medical technology, strengthening academic exchanges and promoting collaborative research and exploration in neurosurgery and related disciplines.

More than 60 years ago, led by a group of pioneers like Prof. Shi Yuquan, Prof. C.C. Wang and Prof. Duan Guosheng, China's neurosurgery was ushered in. China's reform and open-up increased international exchanges in medicine. In 1991, I invited Prof. Lindsay Symon, then the WFNS President to visit China and formed relationship with the Chinese neurosurgical fields. The Chinese Neurosurgical Society of the Chinese Medical Association and the Chinese Congress of Neurological Surgeons of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association joined WFNS respectively in 1993 and 2009. Since then, with the support and assistance of WFNS, China's neurosurgery has maintained close ties with international frontier development and taken active part in the world platform.

To host a WFNS meeting in China has become a dream. Our bidding for a WFNS interim meeting won the voting of WFNS Executive Committee and the delegates from member societies at the WFNS2015 Rome interim meeting. The WFNS constitution was revised at the WFNS2017 Congress in Istanbul from every 4 years a congress to every 2 years, discontinuing the "interim meeting". 2019 WFNS Special World Congress has thus become a vital turning point in WFNS history. It is the last WFNS interim meeting and the first congress under its new constitution. We know this is a heavy task WFNS Executive committee has bestowed on us at a crucial moment of succession of the new to the old. It is not only a recognition of the development of Chinese neurosurgery but also a trust placed on the Chinese neurosurgeons. We have embarked on the path of dream realization. We are full of confidence to live up to the expectations and make our dream come true in September 2019 with an unparalleled success.

There is an old saying in China: the help with a drop of water will be returned with a spewing spring. 2019 WFNS Special World Congress is not only a platform for development and exchanges in the world neurosurgery but also an opportunity to return our appreciation to colleagues and friends who have helped and supported us, not only for serious academic discussions but also for unforgettable social events. We invite all of you to enjoy a personal experience in Chinese traditional culture full of charm and unique beauty and visit Beijing and its people to see the vast change from an ancient capital to a modern metropolis.

"Glorious Neurosurgery" is the theme of the 2019 WFNS Special World Congress. We will hold the opening ceremony on the Great Wall in the golden season. The conference hall is adjacent to the "Bird's Nest", the main venue of the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Apart from a perfect scientific program, we will work hard to organize a wealth of cultural activities and very interesting tours for you and your companions. We will also invite 150 young neurosurgeons from the developing countries especially along the "Belt and Road" regions to attend the congress free of registration fee，food and accommodation. Furthermore, we will provide international return fares and a month-long clinical training afterwards in Beijing to 50 of them free of charge in food and accommodation.

Now all preparations are well on track in an orderly manner. Beijing is about to get ready for you all. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you in Beijing in the colorful autumn of 2019.

Prof. LING Feng

President of 2019 WFNS Special World Congress

Honorary President of Chinese Congress of Neurological Surgeons