As we pass the first month of 2026, stem cell research has already experienced both encouraging developments and serious challenges. In the United States, recent signals of a more restrictive stance toward research involving fetal tissue and human embryonic stem cells—particularly in the context of NIH policy—have been a source of deep concern for our field. The ISSCR has issued a formal statement addressing the fetal tissue policy change, and we sincerely hope that continued dialogue and advocacy will help improve the circumstances. Further the ISSCR will respond to the Request for Information (RFI) on Human Embryonic Stem Cells in NIH-Supported Research, continuing our longstanding defense of the stem cell field. For members who wish to share examples of the impact of limitations on hESC research with the media or policymakers, please let us know. These moments remind us that progress in stem cell science is never guaranteed and must be continually defended through evidence, transparency, and ethical responsibility.

I sincerely hope that this new year will be a fulfilling and inspiring one for each of you.

As we begin 2026, the world continues to face profound and interrelated challenges—escalating natural disasters driven by climate change, rising geopolitical tensions, and evolving disease landscapes associated with global aging. In the midst of these uncertainties, I am reminded daily of the enduring mission of the ISSCR: to advance stem cell science in order to overcome disease, safeguard human health worldwide, and nurture the next generation of scientists who will carry this mission forward.

This past November, I had the opportunity to present our latest research at three international symposia focused on stem cells and aging: in Los Angeles, USA, Singapore, and Hangzhou, China. Each venue showcased a vibrant scientific environment, rich with innovation and passion. I received thoughtful feedback on our recent work, and I engaged in deep conversations with investigators across a spectrum of scientific disciplines. These exchanges, beyond simply sharing data, reminded me how rapidly our field is advancing—and how essential global collaboration is to that progress.

Across these visits, I sensed something very encouraging: while each region has its own distinctive strengths, the ambition to bring stem cell science into the clinic is clearly a shared international priority. Whether through manufacturing innovation, organoid disease modeling, genome and epigenome engineering, or translational neuroscience, researchers everywhere are seeking paths toward real therapeutic impact. This global drive is precisely why the ISSCR exists—and why our annual meeting remains the world’s most important platform for uniting the stem cell community.

In early November, I attended a gene and cell therapy meeting in Los Angeles, USA where the city was still celebrating the L.A. Dodgers’ World Series championship. Amid that energy, I engaged in lively discussions with ISSCR members and leading scientists from around the world. The atmosphere—intense and exhilarating—was reminiscent of a championship game itself. It was clear that advances in stem cell and gene-editing technologies are rapidly accelerating translational research and its societal impact.

The past weeks have been marked by two important actions that together reflect the mission of the ISSCR: to advance stem cell science responsibly and to defend the integrity of biomedical research.