The 20^th Congress of ECCO, Berlin, Germany – Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2025, held on February 19-22, 2025, attracted a total number of 8,311 delegates from 99 different countries. Since the inaugural ECCO Congress in 2006 in Amsterdam, at which there were 350 delegates, participant numbers have steadily increased, as shown in the graph below. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak in the beginning of 2020, we are happy that this high number of delegates had the chance to participate in the ECCO’25 Congress in Berlin.

Tanja Kuehbacher © ECCO

The new REACH strategy was launched at ECCO’24 in Stockholm by ECCO President Britta Siegmund. The acronym defines the goals for ECCO Activities over the next five years. Each year, ECCO will focus on a particular goal. The current goal is Equitable Access to Health Care, while the goal for 2025, commencing at ECCO’25 in Berlin, will be Attain Sustainable IBD Care and that for 2026 will be Holistic IBD Care.   ( Ref.: ECCO REACH strategy by ECCO governing board, ECCO homepage). These goals will help to better define and expand the ECCO Mission to improve care for all IBD patients.

Mariangela Allocca © ECCO

Uri Kopylov © ECCO

At the 2025 ECCO Congress, the educational programme will again include two workshops dedicated to the imaging of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These workshops, organised in collaboration with the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) and the International Bowel Ultrasound (IBUS) group, aim to educate medical professionals in imaging techniques and their use in the accurate diagnosis and treatment monitoring of IBD patients.

The first workshop will focus on the fundamentals of endoscopy, intestinal ultrasound (IUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while the second will explore recent advances in IUS. These educational opportunities are made possible by the significant collaboration between ECCO and experienced gastroenterologists and radiologists specialising in intestinal imaging.

Natalia Queiroz © ECCO

The 23rd ECCO IBD Intensive Course for Trainees, Berlin 2025

The 23^rd IBD Intensive Course for Trainees is scheduled for February 19, 2025, immediately before the start of the ECCO Congress in Berlin. This respected ECCO Educational Initiative has been a cornerstone of IBD education since its inception in 2003, predating even the ECCO Congress itself.

The course is designed to bridge the gaps often found in IBD education during gastroenterology fellowships. It offers advanced fellows a thorough and multidisciplinary exploration of IBD, helping them to deepen their expertise. Additionally, it serves as a vital platform for young clinicians from around the world to exchange knowledge, compare medical practices and build professional networks that can lead to future collaborations. Participation is by invitation, with nominations made by ECCO National Representatives.

Glen Doherty © ECCO

This summer saw the arrival of an additional novel way to participate in ECCO Education, the “Fast Facts in IBD 2024” Online Course. This live interactive online course took place on June 12, 2024 from 17:00 to 19:00 CEST. The course content was specially designed by EduCom for all gastroenterologists treating patients with IBD in their practice and was delivered in a format suited to virtual learning. 98 participants registered for this event (which was free of charge to all current ECCO Members).

The Educational Programme of the 20^th Congress of ECCO starts prior to the official start of the ECCO Congress and courses take place from February 19-21, 2025. These activities target ECCO’s different interest groups including young gastroenterologists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, IBD Nurses, dietitians, allied health professionals and scientists.

IBD Intensive Course for Trainees © ECCO

The 23^rd ECCO IBD Intensive Course for Trainees designed for residents, fellows in gastroenterology and junior faculty will take place in Berlin, Germany, on February 19, 2025, immediately prior to our next Congress. We are pleased to inform you that the preliminary programme for this course is already available.

N-ECCO School © ECCO

At the 20th Congress of ECCO in Stockholm, the Nurses of ECCO (N-ECCO) will host the educational activity for IBD Nurses, N-ECCO School, for the 16^th time. ECCO intends to give nurses, who might be still in training and have an interest in IBD, the possibility to attend an IBD-focused course. The ultimate aim of this programme is to improve nurse education throughout Europe.

The Educational Programme of the 20^th Congress of ECCO starts prior to the official start of the ECCO Congress and courses take place from February 19-21, 2025. These activities target ECCO’s different interest groups including young gastroenterologists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, IBD Nurses, dietitians, allied health professionals and scientists.

To submit an abstract for the 20th Congress of ECCO, use our ECCO Portal. Please also view important information on the submission process and the guidelines for abstract submission.