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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, WCA is unique in terms of global reach and diversity. It offers an outstanding scientific and social experience for all who attend.

Upcoming Congresses

18th WCA 2024 – Singapore, 3-7 March 2024

WCA2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists and will take place in Singapore from 3-7 March 2024. This will be the first WCA to be held in-person since 2016, and we look forward to the warmth of personal exchange with new and familiar faces.

Find out more at www.wca2024.org

19th WCA 2026 – Morocco, dates TBC

The WFSA Board are delighted to announce that WCA2026 will be held in Morocco in partnership with the Société Marocaine d’Anesthésie, d’Analgésie et de Réanimation (SMAAR). Further details on dates and location will be announced shortly.

20th WCA – Vancouver, Canada, dates TBC

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

click to download

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:

Part 1    Part 2

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.

World Congress Locations

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