Fourth Wes Fabb Oration Diversity of primary care in Asia Pacific: pathways to convergence

This Fourth Wes Fabb Oration has a historical perspective and three main parts: the results of a cross sectional survey done among member organizations and three countries not affiliated yet with Wonca which show Family Medicine as to status, practice, education and research; the regional initiatives and activities which indicate convergence; and, suggested action points which can further promote family medicine development, collaboration, and convergence.One of the great events in the World Organization of Family Medicine (Wonca) Asia Pacific Region is the establishment of Professor Wes Fabb Oration in 2001, an initiative done to honor Wes and his contribution to the development and strengthening of family medicine around the world. Wes served Wonca for more than a quarter of a century, first as honorary secretary and at the time of his retirement in 2001, he was chief executive officer. The Wes Fabb Oration also honors Asian family physicians who have personified what Wes stands for and who have similarly contributed to family medicine growth and the improvement in health and well being of patients.It is a great honor to deliver the Fourth Wes Fabb Oration in the birthplace of Professor Fabb and Wonca, after three previous orators who are giants of family medicine - Professor Fabb himself, and former Wonca world presidents Dr. Peter CY Lee and Dr. MK Rajakumar. I thank the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Wonca Asia Pacific Region for this honor.I had the privilege of working closely with Professor Fabb, whom I consider to be one of my mentors. His love for family medicine and Wonca is a lifelong commitment, similar to his belief in lifelong medical education. Thus, being webmaster of Global Family Doctor after his retirement as chief executive officer and establishing the Journal Alert was not a surprise. Retiring as webmaster, he continued as one of its medical editors.Professor Fabb's guiding principle is that "Wonca is inclusive," a princi