Dear Member Societies,

We hope you enjoy this latest news from your Federation. As usual you receive this in your language of choice: English, French or Spanish. Please let us know if additional colleagues should be added to our distribution list to help us ensure that the information reaches your own members.

Reminder of this weekend’s General Assembly

All Member Societies in good standing have been invited to nominate delegates to WFSA’s annual General Assembly which will take place this Sunday, 29 June, at 13.00 BST (GMT+1). All documents, including the agenda, are now available on our website.

Nominations opening for WFSA Committee service 2026-28

We are delighted to confirm that nominations to serve on one of WFSA’s Permanent Committees will open on 1 July. We hope that many of your Societies’ members will consider taking up this opportunity to get engaged with our Federation to lend their expertise and experience to our global anaesthesiology community. Full details, including nomination requirements, are now available on our website. (Nominations for service on our Board and Council from April 2026 will open on 1 September.)

Distinguished Service & Rising Star Awards

Nominations for these two Awards to be presented at WCA2026 in Marrakech next year will also open next week. We encourage all Member Societies to consider nominating candidates for these:

• Do you know a Rising Star in anaesthesiology? Nominate them for the WFSA Rising Star Award

• Opening soon: Nominations for WFSA Distinguished Service Award

Declaration on Patients’ Rights to Labour Analgesia

This was launched at last month’s Euroanaesthesia meeting in Lisbon, and we call on all healthcare providers, policymakers, professional societies, and global health organisations to endorse and act on this Declaration to ensure that no patient is left to endure unnecessary pain during labour. Many of our Member Societies and other partners have already expressed their support for this important campaign and we look forward to also receiving your endorsement. Full details, including a template letter of endorsement, are on our website.

Updates from WHO

New Guidance on Patient Blood Management

Recently published, this new guidance offers a practical phased approach to tackling anaemia and improving patient outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings. Three of WFSA’s PBM leaders, Fredy Ariza, Axel Hoffman and our President, has written a short piece for our website setting out the importance of this issue.

Simulation-based practice in healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) is exploring the variation of simulation practice to enhance and sustain patient safety across the European Region of WHO. We encourage WFSA Member Societies in the European region to complete this survey to share their perspectives.  

WFSA Innovation Awards submissions

Next week the submission portal will open for the 2026-28 WFSA Innovation Awards, with the first confirmed categories being ‘blood health’ supported by an unrestricted educational grant from CSL Vifor and ‘innovation for cleft lip & palate disease’ funded through a new collaboration with Operation Smile, one of our long-standing SAFE partners.

WCA2026 update

Abstract submission is now open for WCA2026, taking place 15–19 April 2026 in Marrakech. Submit your research by 31 July (Round 1) or 30 September (Round 2) for the chance to present your work as an e-poster, have it published in Anesthesia & Analgesia, and gain international exposure and academic recognition.

Abstract submitters are also eligible for several competitions and prizes. The Best Clinical and Basic Science Research Competitions will see finalists present live in Marrakech, with prizes of up to $1,000 and free registration to WCA2028 for all winners. Each scientific track will also recognise its top three abstracts, with winners featured in the WCA2026 programme and awarded e-certificates.

These abstract opportunities are just one part of a truly global scientific programme, shaped by faculty and leaders from over 55 countries across six continents. WCA2026 offers a diverse, inclusive platform for advancing anaesthesia worldwide – and there are many ways to be part of it.

The Industry Prospectus is now available, with priority booking for exhibition and sponsorship opportunities open until 5 September. Visit the WCA2026 website to learn more and take your place at this global event.

Global Anaesthesia Mentoring Programme

This initiative connects anaesthesiologists around the world, helping to develop careers, share professional knowledge and build supportive networks. Mentorships are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and were run for the first time in 2024. Applications for the 2025/26 round of mentorships will be live from 1 July with all details available online.

Recent & upcoming events

• The Pakistan Society of Anaesthesia held its annual meeting on 31 May with excellent national and regional attendance. Many thanks to our DEI Committee Chair, Fauzia Khan, for flying the WCA2026 flag at this.
• The Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists held its annual conference in Kobe on 5-7 June. Our Past President Wayne Morriss was among the international faculty for this.
• The latest WFSA Journal Club Presented by the Paediatric Committee took place on 20 June with more than 180 hugely engaged online participants. This was expertly led by our by Paediatric Anaesthesia Committee leaders and featured expert speakers Sherif Emil (Canada) and Christian M Taylor (USA).
• On 20-22 June the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society held its annual meeting in Newfoundland, with international speakers including WFSA Director of Programmes Faye Evans and our Sustainability Committee members Gwen Morgan and Cliff Shelton.
• Also on 20-22 June, the Pan Arab Anaesthesia Conference took place in Dubai with excellent WFSA representation, including from President-Elect Carolina Haylock Loor, our Secretary Dr Balavenkatasubramanian and Council Regional Representative, Patricia Yazbeck.
• Finally, on 26-27 June the Association of Anaesthetists in Great Britain and Ireland held its first Resident Doctors Conference in London. It was great to see the engagement and excitement among the resident community for what our Federation has to offer.

We will be hosting a special webinar on 15 July at 15.00 BST (GMT+1) to showcase different ways to get engaged with your Federation, whether you’re keen to work on a subspecialty area through one of our Committees, deliver training on one of our CME courses or get engaged with our governance bodies. Registration and more details can be found here.

As a reminder, all our webinars and online events can be accessed online on our website Webinars – WFSA

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As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any queries, comments or concerns to our dedicated membership email on memberships@wfsahq.org.

Till the next time, stay safe.