Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) was established in 1963 in Sydney. Four nations, namely Australia, India, Japan and New Zealand together pronounced formation of the South East APLAR (SEAPAL). The first Congress was held in 1968 at the renowned Taj Mahal Hotel on the waterfront across the Gateway of India in Bombay (India). Since then, SEAPAL grew from strength to strength with many more participating nations joining the league. It was much later that it came to be known by its current name, APLAR.

The APLAR strives to propagate and consolidate Rheumatology endeavours in the Asia Pacific region. Towards this end, the APLAR publishes a journal, the APLAR Journal of Rheumatology. The APLAR Congress is the prime meeting organized by the APLAR every year. The conference brings together rheumatologists, internists, orthopaedic surgeons, clinical immunologists, physiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, paediatricians and researchers from allied disciplines on a common platform for deliberations in the region regarding all aspects of musculoskeletal diseases. The APLAR is affiliated to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).