World Congress of Anaesthesiologists
The World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) is the pre-eminent international congress for anaesthesiologists.
Bringing together anaesthesia and perioperative care providers from around the world, WCA provides an extraordinary opportunity for the promotion of science, education, training, networking and the exchange of experience across the spectrum of anaesthesiology.
With delegates from 130+ countries, the WCA is unique in terms of global reach and diversity and offers an outstanding scientific and social experience for all who attend.
Applications to host WCA 2026
Information on applying to host WCA 2026:
Upcoming Congresses
18th WCA 2024 – Singapore, 3-7 March 2024
WCA 2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, taking place in Singapore from 3-7 March 2024. WCA 2024 will be the first Congress to be held in person since 2016, and we look forward to the warmth of personal exchange with new and familiar members.
Find out more at www.wca2024.org
19th WCA – Africa/Middle East, location TBD
Applications to host closing 15 January 2023.
20th WCA – Vancouver, Canada
The WFSA Venue Committee shortlisted Brazil, Canada and Sweden to host the 20th WCA and they were asked to prepare full bids. Bidding societies presented to the Venue Committee and recommendations were made to the Board. The WFSA Board has since confirmed Vancouver, Canada as the nominated venue (subject to a site visit in 2023) and looks forward to working with the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society
Past Congresses
WCA 2021, 1-5 September
The 17th World Congress was to have been held in Prague, Czech Republic but due to Covid-19 restrictions became the first ever fully virtual World Congress. The Congress took place from 1 -5 September 2021 and attracted over 6,500 delegates. A round-up of the events of WCA2021 is available here.
Over 1,000 abstracts were published in Anesthesia & Analgesia and can be accessed at https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/toc/2021/09002
The 100 most popular sessions and seminars are available to watch again on the WFSA YouTube channel
16th WCA – Hong Kong 2016
The 16th World Congress was held in August-September 2016 in Hong Kong. The Society of Anaesthetists of Hong Kong (SAHK) co-hosted an incredible Congress at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the heart of the vibrant island. Over 6,000 delegates from 134 countries attended. 1,054 abstracts were presented. 648 speaker sessions. 79 workshops. 54 problem based learning discussions. 116 companies exhibited.
The abstracts from the WCA 2016 can be found here.
15th WCA – Buenos Aires 2012
The largest WCA ever in terms of attendance took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from the 25th to 20th March 2012. An astonishing 11,322 delegates took part including 8,893 medical professionals and 590 faculty. There were over 620 sessions on the programme, 771 digital posters were presented, 43 workshops were delivered and 94 companies and 23 societies exhibited.
The abstracts from the WCA 2012 can be downloaded here:
14th WCA – Cape Town 2008
Over 6,000 delegates registered from all 5 continents. There were 788 separate presentations, 12 workshops, 8 Industrial Symposium/workshops, 1019 posters were displayed and there were 130 exhibitors.
WCA Locations Since 1955
The World Congress rotates through different world regions and the below list shows the host cities and societies since the first congress in 1955.