Journey to WCA2028
In May 2028, the global anaesthesiology community comes together in Vancouver for the 20th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA2028). Co-organised by WFSA and the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS), WCA2028 brings together delegates from every region and every resource setting to advance patient safety, global health equity, and the future of the specialty.
WCA: WFSA’s Global Congress
WCA2028 is more than an international scientific meeting. It is WFSA’s global congress — where anaesthesiologists from around the world come together to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance patient care.
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists represents anaesthesiologists across 149 Member Societies spanning 156 countries, working year-round to strengthen the delivery of safe anaesthesiology and perioperative care — from highly resourced health systems to those facing the greatest challenges. WCA is where that year-round mission becomes something delegates can walk into, see, hear, and take part in directly.
Why WCA Is Different
These themes sit at the heart of WCA2028 — shaping the programme, the people in the room, and the experience itself.
Global Health Equity
WCA exists to strengthen anaesthesiology and perioperative care everywhere — not only where resources are already strongest.
Patient Safety
Safe anaesthesiology care for every patient, in every setting, is the thread running through the entire scientific programme.
DEI, Beyond the Basics
Diversity, equity and inclusion at WCA means more than gender balance or a spread of regions on stage — it means representation of the full range of healthcare environments anaesthesiologists actually work in.
A Truly Global Setting
Delegates come from everywhere — including colleagues from low- and middle-income countries and low-income countries, whose perspective is central to the congress, not a side conversation.
20 Congresses. One Legacy.
The first World Congress of Anaesthesiologists was held in Scheveningen, the Netherlands, in 1955 — the same year WFSA was founded. Since then, each Congress has brought the global anaesthesiology community together in a different region of the world, creating opportunities to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and advance patient care. WCA2028 marks the 20th edition of this remarkable journey.
| WCA | Year | City | Host Society | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1955 | Scheveningen | Netherlands | Europe |
| 2nd | 1960 | Toronto | Canada | North America |
| 3rd | 1964 | São Paulo | Brazil | Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands |
| 4th | 1968 | London | United Kingdom | Europe |
| 5th | 1972 | Kyoto | Japan | Asia |
| 6th | 1976 | Mexico City | Mexico | Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands |
| 7th | 1980 | Hamburg | Germany | Europe |
| 8th | 1984 | Manila | Philippines | Asia |
| 9th | 1988 | Washington D.C. | United States | North America |
| 10th | 1992 | The Hague | Netherlands | Europe |
| 11th | 1996 | Sydney | Australia | Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands |
| 12th | 2000 | Montreal | Canada | North America |
| 13th | 2004 | Paris | France | Europe |
| 14th | 2008 | Cape Town | South Africa | Africa and the Middle East |
| 15th | 2012 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands |
| 16th | 2016 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong, China | Asia |
| 17th | 2021 | Prague | Czech Republic | Europe |
| 18th | 2024 | Singapore | Singapore | Asia |
| 19th | 2026 | Marrakech | Morocco | Africa and the Middle East |
| 20th | 2028 | Vancouver | Canada | North America |
Meet the Committees
Congress Organising Committee
Meet the full team leading the planning and delivery of WCA2028, drawn from WFSA and CAS.
Meet the CommitteeScientific Programme Committee
Discover the experts shaping the scientific programme, drawn from Member Societies around the world.
Meet the Committee
Over the coming months, we’ll share more about WCA2028 — from the people behind the Congress and the development of the scientific programme, to opportunities for education, networking, and collaboration. Follow the journey as we count down to welcoming the global anaesthesiology community — from every region, and every resource setting — to Vancouver.
Planning Your Visit
Travel supports the Congress — it isn’t the main story. Here’s where to start.
Be Part of WCA2028
Join the global anaesthesiology community — from every region, every background, and every resource setting — in Vancouver for the 20th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists.
Learn More About WCA2028