With 3,705 in-person participants from 132 countries, the 19th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) 2026 brought together the anaesthesiology professionals from around the world in Marrakech, highlighting the power of collaboration in advancing patient care worldwide.
“WCA is always a place that brings everybody together. It’s really a good forum where you really learn a lot. There’s no doubt the more you modernize, the more your patients benefit.”
– WCA2026 Delegate
Voices from WCA2026
Delegates from across the world reflected on their experiences at WCA2026, highlighting the congress as a vital forum for collaboration, education, and innovation in anaesthesiology worldwide.
WCA2026 provided a platform for anaesthesiology and perioperative care professionals to connect, share knowledge, and exchange experiences, reinforcing the importance of global partnerships in strengthening anaesthesia systems and improving outcomes.
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony brought together the global community for an exciting start to the congress, featuring speeches, cultural performance, and a shared sense of purpose. It set the tone for a week defined by diversity, collaboration, and energy across the anaesthesia community.
The ceremony also marked a leadership transition, with Prof. Daniela Filipescu handing over the WFSA Presidency to Dr Carolina Haylock-Loor.
Scientific Programme
The WCA2026 scientific programme featured 20 focused tracks covering all major areas of anaesthesiology, critical care, and pain medicine, and 156 sessions led by 307 faculty members from 92 countries.
A total of 1,375 abstracts were presented, showcasing new research, innovations, and clinical practices from around the world. These contributions sparked discussion and knowledge exchange across key areas of anaesthesia and perioperative care.
The congress also featured 10 industry sessions and an exhibition with 70 exhibitors, offering opportunities to engage with the latest developments in technology, products, and services.
Registered participants, including 346 on-demand attendees, have access to the recordings of the scientific sessions.
Harold Griffith Lecture
The Harold Griffith Lecture, the only named plenary of the Congress, honours WFSA’s first President and a legacy that shaped modern anaesthesia.
At WCA2026, Prof. Adrian W. Gelb delivered the lecture, exploring how anaesthesiologists can once again take a leading role in patient safety, from global systems to everyday clinical practice.
For those who missed it or would like to revisit the session, watch the video:
WCA2026 Award Winners
Several leaders in anaesthesiology were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the field and to the global community.
The WFSA Distinguished Service Award was presented to Prof. Adrian W. Gelb and Prof. Angela Enright, recognising their exceptional and sustained contributions to anaesthesiology.
The WFSA Blood Health Innovation Award was awarded to Vijay Anand Ismavel and Ann Miriam Devarathnam. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from CSL Vifor, this award recognises practical, scalable solutions to improve patient blood management and perioperative care, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Mack Kalenga received the WFSA Rising Star Award, celebrating early-career excellence and recognising his impact and promise in advancing anaesthesia care.
Listen to The WFSA Blood Health Innovation Award Winners in the TopMedTalk podcast at WCA2026.
WCA2026 Scholarship Programme
WCA2026 welcomed 39 scholars from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), offering opportunities for education, leadership development, and global networking.
Before the congress, scholars participated in WFSA’s Leadership Course pilot and ICU Better, WFSA’s new short training course taster. They also attended workshops, networking events, and the Scholars Reception at the WFSA Hub, where they connected with peers, WFSA leadership, and global partners.
Many scholars joined taster sessions organised with the Laerdal Foundation (WFSA’s Global Impact Partner), contributing anaesthesiology perspectives on new equipment, while most also presented abstracts or posters during the congress.
Know more about WFSA Scholarship Programme.
Listen to this year’s WCA Scholars in the TopMedTalk podcast at WCA2026.
WFSA General Assembly
A key governance moment of WCA2026, the WFSA General Assembly brought together Member Societies to shape the future direction of WFSA.
The assembly included financial reporting, committee appointments, and elections for President-Elect, Officers, and Council. Important decisions were made, and new leadership was confirmed for the next term.
Community and Engagement
WCA2026 extended beyond the scientific programme, creating spaces for connection, learning, and community.
The Global Anaesthesia Village provided a hub for participants to explore WFSA Member Societies, connect with colleagues, and learn about the work happening across the world.
At the WFSA Hub, participants engaged in a dynamic programme of sessions throughout the congress, including celebrations of 30 years of WFSA Fellowships, discussions on Patient Blood Management (PBM), Safer Anaesthesia From Education (SAFE), leadership conversations, global partnerships, and new learning initiatives such as ICU Better. These sessions created an interactive space for learning, networking, and reflecting on the global impact of WFSA’s work.
An interactive scavenger hunt added a fun and engaging element to the congress. Participants completed challenges throughout the week, shared their experiences on social media using #WCA2026Hunt, and took part in daily prize draws at the WFSA Hub.
WFSA also highlighted the launch of Update in Anaesthesia (UIA) Volume 42, reinforcing PBM as a core standard of care.
The launch coincided with a leadership transition, with thanks to Prof. Christina Lundgren-Steele for her impactful tenure as Editor-in-Chief, and a warm welcome to Prof. Nabil M Elkassabany as the new Editor-in-Chief.
The Hub also marked the launch of the Anaesthesiology Online Learning Community (AOLC), WFSA’s new global platform for open-access, high-quality anaesthesia education, offering curated resources, structured courses, and a collaborative learning space.
Looking Ahead to WCA2028
The journey continues. The 20th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists heads to Vancouver, Canada in 2028 — a new city, a new chapter, and another extraordinary gathering of the global anaesthesiology community.
While other meetings often reflect regional or specialty-specific priorities, WCA remains the only truly global platform for anaesthesiology, uniting clinicians, educators, and leaders from every region to address the challenges that matter most worldwide.
Building on the momentum and scientific excellence of Marrakech, WCA2028 will continue to advance the future of anaesthesia through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and global partnership.
Stay connected through WCA’s social media channels, newsletter, and the new WCA2028 website for updates, dates, and announcements.
See you in Vancouver.
