WCA: WFSA’s Global Congress
One Mission. One Congress. One Community.
“The World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) is the flagship congress of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA)“
WFSA and WCA are more closely linked than many delegates realise. Here’s how.
What is WFSA?
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) represents anaesthesiologists globally in 149 Member Societies spanning 156 countries, connecting with and supporting hundreds of thousands of anaesthesiologists and perioperative care professionals worldwide.
Through its Member Societies, WFSA works to strengthen the delivery of safe anaesthesiology and perioperative care across diverse healthcare environments — from highly resourced health systems to those facing the greatest challenges. This work includes:
- Education & Training — providing fellowships, scholarships, courses and educational resources that support anaesthesiologists throughout their careers and strengthen the capacity of the specialty worldwide
- Safety & Quality — developing standards, guidance and tools that support clinicians to deliver safer care, while recognising the different environments in which anaesthesiology is practised
- Advocacy & Representation — ensuring that the voice of anaesthesiologists is represented where decisions affecting the specialty and its patients are made. Through engagement with organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), WFSA influences policy, guidelines and standards that shape the recognition of anaesthesiology, workforce development and the delivery of safe patient care
- Global Connection — bringing together Member Societies and anaesthesiologists across the world to share knowledge, experience and solutions, ensuring that no professional community works in isolation
This work continues year-round, in parallel with — not separate from — the planning of WCA.
So what is WCA?
The World Congress of Anaesthesiologists (WCA) isn’t a standalone event separate from WFSA — WCA is organised, planned and delivered by WFSA. It is WFSA’s congress: the global scientific meeting where the Federation’s work, priorities and community come together, reflecting its purpose of strengthening anaesthesiology and perioperative care worldwide through education, training, safety, quality, advocacy and global collaboration.
Held once every two years and co-hosted by a different Member Society in a different region each time, WCA is where the global anaesthesiology community exchanges the latest research, shares clinical expertise, and addresses the challenges shaping the future of the specialty — the moment when WFSA’s year-round mission becomes something you can walk into, see, hear, and take part in directly.
WCA2028 will be the 20th edition of the congress, dating back to the very first World Congress in 1955 — the same year WFSA itself was founded. The Congress and the Federation have grown together ever since.
What does attending WCA actually mean?
When you register for WCA2028, you’re not just attending a scientific conference. You’re joining:
- A global community of anaesthesiologists and perioperative care professionals — from early-career trainees to leading experts — connected through WFSA’s Member Societies across 156 countries
- A shared commitment to advancing patient safety and access to safe anaesthesiology and perioperative care across every healthcare environment
- A global platform where the priorities of anaesthesiology and perioperative care come to life — through scientific exchange, education, training, safety, quality improvement, advocacy and collaboration with colleagues from around the world
- A living network that continues beyond the congress — creating opportunities for collaboration, learning and professional connection long after WCA2028 concludes
The science, the speakers, and the social programme all matter — but they sit inside something larger: a Federation working, together, toward a single goal.
A congress for everyone, everywhere — advancing patient safety, global health equity, and the future of anaesthesiology.
