On behalf of the Andrews Labor Government, I offer you a very warm welcome to Victoria for the 23rd World Congress on Controversies in Obstetrics, Gynecology & Infertility.

Victoria is a world-leader in health and medical research, and I am incredibly proud of the work being done at our hospitals, our medical research institutes, and our universities to improve patients’ lives, their experiences, and their outcomes.

Victoria is home to around 150 biotechnology companies, 10 major medical research institutes, 10 teaching hospitals conducting significant research, and 9 universities, and our outstanding health and medical research capabilities across a range of fields are recognised both nationally and globally.

Through international partnerships, we may find new solutions to global health challenges, so I hope this conference will be an opportunity to learn and share your knowledge and expertise, strengthen existing friendships and build new ones, and identify and enhance collaboration opportunities.

I also hope you will have the chance to enjoy some of Victoria’s many fantastic highlights.

Melbourne is a city celebrated for its food, shopping, sports, arts, culture and year round festivities, and, within a stone’s throw of the city, we have spectacular coastlines, Australian wildlife reserves, wineries, temperate rainforests, surf beaches, ski fields and historic townships.

Please enjoy your time here in our wonderful state, and I wish you the very best for a very productive conference.

Yours sincerely,