CMAAO was established originally in 1950 as the Confederation of Medical Association in Asia, and was reorganized into the present setup as CMAAO in March 1959, with its head-quarters located in the Philippines. It comprises a total of 11 member countries - Australia, Burma, the Republic of China, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. The purpose of CMAAO is to promote mutual exchange of knowledge among the member nations in the field of medical science, and to contribute to the development of public health service, thus playing an important role dedicated to the building of world peace.

To participate in the forthcoming congress are all the member countries, including Korea, and such observer countries as Australia, Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, India, Panama and the United States of America. A symposium will be held on the theme of "Public Health in Farm Villages," and discussion in the plenary meeting will be centered on the principal subject of "Problems Related to the Medical Education in Asia and Oceania." Special lectures also will be delivered on seven particular subjects.

Korea is expected during the conference period to try to:
   1) boost our national dignity by means of demonstrating, through the delegates from various countries, the remarkable progress and development being achieved in Korea to the entire world
   2) contribute to the promotion of trade by means of showing off the rapid development that has been achieved in the scientific, technical and industrial fields; and
    3) promote friendship and understanding among the various countries and individuals through the exchange of medical knowledge and techniques.

In the hope that the forthcoming session will mark a great success, enabling CMAAO to further contribute to the enhancement of public health not only in Korea but also in the general region of Asia and Oceania, the Ministry of Communications is to release a postage stamp in commemoration of the significant occasion.