I am very pleased and honored to welcome you, as President of IFSA, to the 13th IFSA World Congress and the 6th Conference of EUSFLAT, held on July 20 – 24, 2009 in Lisbon, Portugal. The International Fuzzy Systems Association (IFSA) and one of her most relevant and active institutional members, the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology (EUSFLAT), have decided to organize a joint event, and this idea has proven to be very successful.

When some years ago IFSA made a decision to accept a proposal to organize the 2009 IFSA World Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, we had been convinced that a high scientific stature of the people involved, both in their countries and world wide, amplified by their organizational skills and devotion, would guarantee a successful event. This was has been even more evident later when EUSFLAT joined us, with their group of officers and members of a great enthusiasm, devotion and qualities.

Thanks and gratitude for having made IFSA–EUSFLAT 2009 a success are due to many people, and I cannot personally mention all of them for lack of space. I wish to thank – on behalf of the entire fuzzy community, participants, IFSA Council and myself – first of all General Chairs, Professors Joao Sousa and Uzay Kaymak, and Chairs of Program Committee, Professors Didier Dubois and Joao Carvalho, all the other Chairs, members of the International Program Committee, members of the National Organizing Committee, organizers of Special sessions, reviewers, and – last but not least – all the participants without whom the Congress would not happen. My special thanks are due to Professor Ulrich Bodenhofer, President of EUSFLAT, whose consideration, enthusiasm and cooperation have been decisive in a smooth and efficient running of preparations to such a large undertaking.

I am sure that the 13th IFSA World Congress and the 6th Conference of EUSFLAT will prove to be a great success with long lasting consequences that will contribute to the strengthening and a further development of fuzzy logic and related fields, and – on a more personal level – to a further integration and cooperation of people and teams working in these areas.

With my best regards and wishes,