Twelve invited speakers gave lecture in 3 plenary sessions. For plenary session 1 “President Invited Lectures”, the presented topics included ‘Toward precision medicine: evolution of global distributed research network in Korea’ by Dr. Rae-Woong Park (Korea) and ‘Artificial intelligence in medicine’ by Dr. Yoon-Sup Choi (Korea). Plenary session 2 highlighted surgical issues in the field of gynecologic oncology. In the first subsection concerning secondary debulking in epithelial ovarian cancer, Dr. Andreas du Bois (Germany) summarized evidence from studies on the role of surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer including the DESKTOP series and others. Also, Dr. Robert Coleman (USA) addressed the surgical part of the Gynecologic Oncology Group 213 study. In addition, Dr. Dennis Chi (USA) provided expert viewpoint on selection criteria and principles of secondary debulking surgery. In the second subsection on surgical approach in early-stage cervical cancer after the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial, Dr. Joo-Hyun Nam (Korea) pointed out the real problems of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy while Dr. Mikio Mikami (Japan) and Dr. Mario Leitao (USA) addressed the Asian and American/other part of the world viewpoints, respectively (Fig. 2). In the plenary session 3 on “Immuno-oncology and beyond”, the topics discussed included: ‘PARP inhibition in ovarian cancer: is it time for a paradigm shift?’ by Dr. Richard Penson (USA), ‘Prevalence of BRCA mutation and real world experience of PAPRi’ by Dr. Byoung-Gie Kim (Korea), ‘Biomarkers for immunotherapy usage in gynecologic cancer’ by Dr. Wei Zhou (USA), and ‘Novel and emerging agents under development for gynecologic cancers’ by Dr. Wen Yee Chay (Singapore).

Thirty-six invited speakers discussed topics in the area of their special interest in 8 symposia, which included: rare gynecologic cancers, cervical cancer screening in Asia, revised International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage of cervical cancer and related issues, endometrial cancer update, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in Asia, minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic cancer management, fertility preservation upfront, and chemotherapy and related supportive care. In addition, there were 3 special symposia: “Evolving of BRCA mutated ovarian cancer treatment” by Dr. Richard Penson (USA), “Role of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer & evolution as backbone of novel combination” by Dr. Mansoor R. Mirza (Denmark), and “New PARP inhibitor in recurrent ovarian cancer, regardless of BRCA status: the role of niraparib” by Dr. Masataka Takenaka (Japan).

Forty-seven speakers provided fruitful discussion in 13 education sessions and special sessions (31 speakers in 8 educational sessions and 16 speakers in 5 special sessions). Education sessions addressed issues specific to certain disciplines of gynecologic oncology, which included: radiation gynecologic oncology, gynecologic cancer pathology, enhanced recovery after surgery, surgical and molecular tumor board, uterine and cervical cancer surgery, training for young investigator and research nurse, imaging in ovarian cancer practice, and ovarian cancer surgery. Special sessions considered topics with certain clinical, experimental, and societal application such as “Molecular dissection of ovarian clear cell carcinoma”, ASGO-Asia-Oceania Research Organisation on Genital Infections and Neoplasia joint session on how to collaborate to eliminate cervical cancer in Asia-Pacific region, international research collaboration through Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup, “Clinical trial in Asia: can we make a quantum jump?”, and “From good research to good publication”.

Shingo Fujii Medical Academy was organized as part of ASGO 2019 meeting with the goal of improving surgical techniques by the presenters sharing non-edited surgical videos at approximately twice the normal speed to expert surgeons from various recognized institutions and audiences for open discussion. Eight presenters participated in this very nourishing session (35 minutes of presentation time plus open discussion for each presenter) (Fig. 3).

Ovarian cancer roundtable session of Chinese Society of Gynecologic Oncology was incorporated to the main ASGO meeting, which discussed recent advance in surgery and targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.

The 15th ASGO Council Meeting was held at Songdo Convensia, Incheon, Korea on October 9th, 2019 (Fig. 4). Yang Xiang (China) became a new council member. Preparation of the ASGO Workshop 2020 was presented by Kung-Liahng Wang (Taiwan). Preparation of the 7th Biennial Meeting of ASGO 2021 was presented by Sarikapan Wilailak (Thailand). Steering committee of ASGO 2021 meeting was appointed. Professor Daisuke Aoki took over the President of ASGO from professor Hee-Sug Ryu and presided over the last part of the council meeting. Professor Jae-Weon Kim was elected as President-elect.

The banquet night was arranged at Songdo Convensia on December 11, 2019 in a warm and relaxing atmosphere (Fig. 5). Professor Hee-Sug Ryu, president of ASGO, gave a welcome remark. Professor Daisuke Aoki, president-elect of ASGO provided toast proposal. Professor Warner Huh, president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, delivered a congratulatory remark. After the opening addresses, representatives from the organizing committee of the next ASGO meeting delivered promotional presentations for the congresses, Professor Chih-Ming Ho from Taiwan Association of Gynecologic Oncologists for the sixth International Workshop on Gynecologic Oncology and Professor Jatupol Srisomboon, president of the Thai Gynecologic Cancer Society for the seventh Biennial Meeting of ASGO. Subsequently, the ceremony for the Journal of Gynecologic Oncology awards took place. All attendees then enjoyed a terrific performance from the Korean professional string chamber ensemble and opera singers. In addition, the talent shows by representatives from all participating countries tremendously enhanced the joy of the night. This pleasant social event was a great occasion to deepen friendship and promote future collaboration among all participants.

We will meet again at the Sixth International Workshop on Gynecologic Oncology, which will be held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center in Taiwan from May 2nd to 3rd, 2020. The Seventh Biennial Meeting of ASGO will be held at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand from November 25th to 27th, 2021.