In the past decade, the number of researchers and standard of healthcare are rapidly rising in the Asia Pacific region. These factors bring about a soaring demand for high-quality healthcare and interest for biomedical research. To give this group of emerging investigators professional development opportunities overseas, we organized IDDF. It is essentially a platform for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, endoscopists and related professionals to learn, exchange and connect. Attendees from young investigators to world-class experts congregate here to discuss ideas, showcase research, update knowledge of the latest trends and expand professional network. Connecting people, expertise, research and technology, truly, IDDF is connecting the very best of GI.