English
한국어 
31 March 2026
The International Hospital Federation (IHF) has announced that the 50th World Hospital Congress will be held in Rome, Italy, in November 2027, with the Italian Federation of Health and Hospital Companies (FIASO) serving as co-host. The Congress brings together hospital leaders and healthcare system executives to connect around global learning for local action while attracting around 1500 participants each year from more than 80 countries.
The IHF will collaborate with FIASO to co-host the anniversary edition of this annual event on 7–10 November 2027 at La Nuvola Convention Centre in Rome. Representatives of FIASO will join the organizing committee to design and deliver the Congress in 2027.
The Congress brings together hospital leaders and healthcare system executives from across the globe to exchange ideas and learn from real-world experience. It gives senior leaders the opportunity to participate in focused sessions while also connecting directly with peers who are doing similar work in hospitals throughout the IHF network. The World Hospital Congress is a serious forum for senior leaders to discuss the most relevant challenges and opportunities in managing healthcare today.
Showcasing universal healthcare equity and access
Founded in 1998, FIASO brings together more than 180 local health and hospital authorities and agencies playing a key role in the Italian public health sector. FIASO joined the IHF as a full member in 2024, after a long history of Italian engagement throughout the IHF’s history. Italy was present at the very first meeting that came to be known as the IHF World Hospital Congress when hospital leaders from 35 countries and territories gathered in Atlantic City, USA, in 1929. Italy went on to host two editions of the event: Rome was the host city for the 4th Congress in 1935, and Venice was the venue for the 12th Congress in 1961.
FIASO was established to support and promote the strengthening and development of healthcare management to better meet citizens’ needs and ensure the sustainability of the health system. The Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), also headquartered in Rome, is recognized internationally for its commitment to universal coverage and equity in access to care, positioning Italy as an authoritative voice in global health governance.
Dr Henry Gallardo, President of the IHF, and Director General of Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia, shared his hopes for the 50th edition of the World Hospital Congress:
“I am delighted that this special anniversary edition of the IHF’s flagship event will be held in Rome in 2027. They say that all roads lead to Rome and, in a city renowned for extraordinary vision, leadership, and advancements in civilization, this is a wonderful opportunity to inspire healthcare leaders from across the globe to reimagine hospital administration and take meaningful actions to better serve their local communities. We are excited to design and deliver this learning opportunity and celebration of the Congress’ long history and strong network, in collaboration with FIASO.”
Giuseppe Quintavalle, President of FIASO expressed the benefits and opportunities of hosting the Congress in Rome:
“The choice of Rome as the city to host the 2027 IHF World Hospital Congress comes as very welcome news for Italy and for our healthcare system. It represents an important recognition of the contribution our country can offer to the international dialogue on care delivery, innovation, and the organization of health services. At a time marked by uncertainty and by challenges affecting health systems across the world, the value of international networks among hospitals, healthcare professionals, institutions, and public decision-makers is even more evident: sharing experiences, solutions, and organizational models is essential to strengthen our ability to respond and to build services that are more effective, more resilient, and closer to people’s needs. This Congress also represents an important opportunity for our country and calls directly on Italian institutions, at national and regional level, to take part in a high-level discussion on the future of healthcare, on health policy, and on the choices needed to make systems of care stronger, more innovative, and more equitable.
Rome is the natural venue for an event of such global significance: for the strength of its history, the richness of its culture, the beauty and art that make it unique, the international prestige that makes it a recognized point of reference, and its ability to welcome and bring into dialogue different experiences, institutions, and perspectives, as already demonstrated during the recent Jubilee. For all participants, this Congress will be an important opportunity for exchange, collaboration, and shared growth in a setting of great prestige.”
Driving action and impact in the programme
The Congress attracts around 1500 participants each year from more than 80 countries and territories. An announcement about the scientific tracks and abstract submissions for the 2027 Congress will be made in January 2027. The programme will include a stimulating array of plenary and parallel sessions, poster presentations, pre-congress masterclasses, invitational forums, workshops, networking opportunities, as well as visits to local hospitals and healthcare solutions companies.
The IHF’s Geneva Sustainability Centre, which supports hospital and healthcare executives leading the transformation to low carbon, resilient, and sustainable healthcare, will influence the programme. And the organizing committee will prioritize delivering an environmentally sustainable Congress, which can act as an example to participants for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of events, as well as providing a positive experience to visitors and preserving the local environment for its community.
Participants can look forward to engaging with the creators of solutions that are making an impact and transforming healthcare delivery by successfully moving from innovation to implementation in hospital settings worldwide at the Congress’ i-to-i Innovation Hub. And there will also be an opportunity to book a seat at the IHF Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner – a celebration to recognize outstanding hospital projects, programmes, and services on a global stage.
Ancient heritage meets cutting-edge healthcare
Beyond the Congress programme, the destination of Rome offers opportunities to visit numerous exceptional hospital and health facilities, research centres, and universities at the forefront of medical innovation. Delegates will also be able to explore the cultural highlights of Rome, sometimes called the “Eternal City”, which boasts the highest concentration of historical, archaeological, and architectural heritage in the world. As well as the extensive opportunities to discover the monuments, churches, fountains, and art, delegates can also visit Vatican City, which is situated within Rome’s boundaries, making Rome the only city in the world to host a foreign state.