48th World Hospital Congress opens abstract submissions for 2025
The International Hospital Federation has launched its call for abstracts for the 48th World Hospital Congress, scheduled for November 2025 in Geneva. The scientific programme will address critical challenges in healthcare delivery across five thematic tracks, from leadership imperatives to artificial intelligence implementation.
Leadership and innovation take centre stage
The congress, hosted by the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG), aims to unite over 1,500 healthcare executives and professionals from more than 80 countries. Under the theme “global learning, local action for every patient”, the scientific programme encompasses leadership, clinical models, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and human-centred care approaches.
IHF President Dr Muna Tahlak emphasised the global nature of healthcare challenges: “The issues faced by hospitals and their communities, the healthcare workforce, and patients are a shared challenge in countries across the globe. At this unique forum, we will shape the future of healthcare delivery in our local settings by learning from fellow leaders from around the world.”
Environmental sustainability drives agenda
In alignment with the IHF Statement for Sustainability, approved at the 45th Congress in 2022, the event will prominently feature environmental considerations. The IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre will support the implementation of sustainability measures throughout the congress, reflecting healthcare’s growing focus on low-carbon and resilient care delivery systems.
Digital transformation and AI integration
The scientific programme dedicates significant attention to technological advancement in healthcare, with a dedicated track examining digital transformation and artificial intelligence in care delivery and hospital operations. This focus acknowledges the increasing role of technology in improving healthcare efficiency and patient outcomes.
The 2025 congress marks the first time Geneva has hosted the event, despite being home to the IHF headquarters. Previous Swiss editions were held in Lucerne (1955) and Lausanne (1983). The local healthcare community, including H+ Swiss Hospitals, will play an integral role in the programme development.
H+ Director Anne-Geneviève Bütikofer highlighted the significance of the location: “We are delighted to have the IHF Congress in Geneva and to contribute to the programme, fostering exchanges among healthcare experts from around the world.”
Abstract submission details
Healthcare executives, managers, professionals, providers, government representatives, academic institutions, research organisations, and NGOs can submit abstracts until 28 February 2025. The congress will be held at the International Conference Centre Geneva from 10-13 November 2025.
Robert Mardini, Director General of the HUG, emphasised the event’s importance: “Through the strategic choices we make and the policies that we implement, healthcare leaders shape the lives of countless individuals at the heart of healthcare — be they patients, staff or the larger communities that we serve.”
The University Hospital of Geneva brings substantial expertise to the congress, operating across eleven hospital sites and twenty healthcare facilities. In 2023, the institution treated 249,000 patients, managed 2,083 hospital beds, and employed 12,800 staff. As a WHO Collaborating Centre in six fields, HUG’s involvement underscores the congress’s commitment to advancing global healthcare standards.
- Full submission guidelines and detailed information about the thematic tracks are available here: https://worldhospitalcongress.org/abstracts/
