Establishment and Early Years (2001-2004)

The Asian Regional Cooperative Council for Nuclear Medicine (ARCCNM) was officially founded in February 2001 through the joint efforts of Korea, Japan, and China. Recognizing the significant potential and necessity for advancements in nuclear medicine across Asia, ARCCNM aimed to enhance regional cooperation and promote nuclear medicine practices.
The initial executive board featured notable leaders including Dr. Myung-Chul Lee from Korea, who served as the first Chairperson, along with Dr. M.A. Karim from Bangladesh, Dr. Johan S. Masjhur from Indonesia, and Dr. Yutaka Suzuki from Japan as co-vice chairs representing different regional chapters: Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Far East Asia respectively.
The first annual meeting was held in Dalian, China, in June 2002, with around 60 participants. This was followed by the second annual meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2003, which saw a significant increase in participation with 300 attendees, including 100 international participants. The third annual meeting was merged with the Asia and Oceania Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology Congress in Beijing, China, in October 2004.

Growth and Expansion (2005-2011)

In 2003, Dr. June-Key Chung from Korea was elected as the second Chairperson of ARCCNM. Recognizing the need for more structured education in nuclear medicine, ARCCNM established the Asian School of Nuclear Medicine (ASNM) in 2003, with Dr. Felix X. Sundram from Singapore as the inaugural dean. ASNM aimed to provide comprehensive educational programs, particularly focusing on PET and cyclotron technology, to bolster expertise in developing countries.
Annual meetings continued to be a pivotal aspect of ARCCNM’s activities, with the fourth meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2005, and the fifth meeting in Seoul, Korea, in 2006, which was merged with the 9th World Congress of Nuclear Medicine and Biology. Subsequent meetings were held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (2007), New Delhi, India (2008), Jogjakarta, Indonesia (2008), and Dhaka, Bangladesh (2009). The 10th annual meeting in 2011 was in conjunction with the 4th International Conference on Radiopharmaceutical Therapy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Continued Development and Leadership (2012-Present)

In 2010, Dr. Hee-Seung Bom from Korea succeeded as the third Chairperson. Under his leadership, ARCCNM continued to address the disparities in nuclear medicine practice across Asia by promoting international cooperation, enhancing scientific activities, and facilitating training and education.
ARCCNM has grown to include 18 member states, each contributing to the collective goal of advancing nuclear medicine in the region. The organization’s activities have been instrumental in raising awareness, increasing the number of trained professionals, and improving nuclear medicine facilities and practices in many Asian countries.
In 2022, Dr. Keon W. Kang from Seoul National University took over as the Chairperson of ARCCNM. His extensive experience and leadership roles within the nuclear medicine community have brought renewed vigor and direction to the organization. Dr. Kang continues to drive ARCCNM’s mission forward, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the continued growth and development of nuclear medicine across Asia.