As AUA’s Assistant Secretary for the Americas and Caribbean, it has been an honor to represent the AUA in this role and work towards further cultivating and expanding the special friendships and partnerships between AUA and the national and multinational societies in the region. While I had been active in the region prior to taking on the Assistant Secretary role, I began my Assistant Secretary term in June 2022. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to help guide AUA’s international educational efforts and represent AUA at many congresses and activities throughout the region. Although I was not able to attend every Annual Congress held this year in my geographic region, I am pleased that between myself and Dr John Denstedt, AUA Secretary, we were able to represent the AUA at so many Congresses this year to see the diversity of speakers and also participate in the rich learning environments.

It has been refreshing to see urology around the world continue to emerge from the effects of the pandemic. The ability to gather together in person has been greatly missed and it is wonderful to be able to reconnect with so many friends and colleagues throughout the region to celebrate the strong sense of community in urology.

I had the privilege of participating in the Annual Congresses and AUA’s educational activities with the Sociedad Peruana de Urologia, Asociacion Urologica de Centroamerica y el Caribe, Confederación Americana de Urologia, Sociedad Chilena de Urologia, and Sociedad Mexicana de Urología with Dr Denstedt participating in the Sociedade Brasileira de Urologia-Paulista, Sociedad Argentina de Urologia, and Confederación Americana de Urologia congresses. AUA also had faculty experts participate in educational programming with the Sociedad Colombiana de Urologia and Caribbean Urological Association.

On behalf of the AUA, I would like to thank our colleagues in the Latin American and Caribbean region for their dedication to the AUA, especially as we all continue to rebuild and resume in-person activities. I would also like to recognize all of the AUA faculty that volunteered their time and expertise to participate in AUA’s programming throughout the region. The sharing of knowledge and expertise is critical to the continued advancement of our specialty and we have so many innovative ways in which we can collaborate together to promote high-quality education to urologists and residents on a global scale. Whether it is the exchange of ideas through a leadership meeting or a Zoom call to holding joint educational programs, Lessons in Urology courses, webinars, or academic exchange programs, our friendships and collaborative partnerships are resilient and will endure long into the future. I look forward to what 2023 will bring and to continuing to expand AUA’s activities throughout the region.

AUA Assistant Secretary, Dr Jorge Gutierrez Aceves, discusses the use of lasers during the AUA session at CAU2022 in Cancun, Mexico.	Leaders from AUA and the Confederación Americana de Urología meet in Cancun, Mexico.
AUA staff connect with members and attendees at the CAU2022 Congress.	(Left to right) Drs Jorge Gutierrez Aceves, Ingrid Perscky, Marcelo Baptistussi, and Raju Thomas enjoy time together during AUCA2022 in Costa Rica.
(Left to right) Drs Marcio Averbeck, John Denstedt, and Luiz Torres celebrate the translation and printing of AUA’s Clinical Pocket Guide into Brazilian Portuguese.	Leaders from AUA and Sociedad Mexicana de Urología meet in Cancun to celebrate the strong foundation of friendship and educational collaborations.
AUA and Sociedad Peruana de Urología leaders and expert faculty celebrate the 8th Annual Lessons in Urology Course held in Lima.	AUA and Sociedad Chilena de Urología leaders connect to further strengthen our relationship and collaborations.