Advancing women’s health: Sydney hosts the 16th World Congress on Endometriosis

In May 2025, the 16th World Congress on Endometriosis brought more than 1,000 delegates from 55 countries to the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney).

Hosted by the World Endometriosis Society and supported by BESydney, Tourism Australia and ICC Sydney, the four-day Congress delivered learning and connection for lasting impact.

For Congress Co-President and Clinical President Professor Jason Abbott (University of New South Wales), bringing the Congress to Sydney was an opportunity to demonstrate Australia’s leadership in women’s health, and to inspire the next generation of researchers.

“Australia has always been a leader in endometriosis, and with the world-first National Endometriosis Action Plan rolled out here, it was logical that we host,” he said. “Being a Sydney native, bringing the Congress to my hometown was an opportunity to show off not just endometriosis research and science but our culture, people and the incredible opportunities here in Sydney.”

Across 120 plenary sessions, symposia and pre-congress workshops, WCE2025 advanced global understanding of endometriosis and its impact on women and girls. Delegates shared the latest research, exchanged ideas and formed new collaborations across clinical, scientific and allied health fields.

Professor Abbott said hosting the Congress in Sydney showcased the strength of Australia’s research ecosystem and its commitment to women’s health. “It highlighted the substantive research program that Australia has undertaken, forged new relationships critical to research progress, and premiered novel initiatives such as region-specific networking meetings that brought neighbouring countries together to forge new directions.”

The meeting’s impact extended far beyond the conference centre. “Endometriosis is a critical area for research in women’s health, and a world showcase means Sydney is in the spotlight for advocacy, science and research progress,” Professor Abbott said. “The networks we’ve created through the World Congress will pay dividends for decades to come. Seeing young researchers establish their own networks and ignite new research interests is the fantastic legacy of a world congress in our city.”

The congress also delivered an estimated $3.8 million in direct expenditure to the NSW economy, an economic boost paired with an enduring social legacy.

Professor Gita Mishra (University of Queensland), Congress Co-President and Scientific President, said the Sydney meeting reinforced Australia’s position at the forefront of endometriosis research.

“Australia was the first country to establish a National Action Plan for Endometriosis in 2018, which highlighted the urgent need for research programs in endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain,” she explained. “Prior to that, the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health had been collecting data on endometriosis since 2000, providing invaluable evidence on health and health service use among women with the disease.”

Resources such as the National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials (NECST) Registry have enabled Australian researchers to adopt a truly multidisciplinary approach. They integrate genomic, biomedical, surgical and epidemiologic data to improve understanding and treatment.

For Professor Mishra, the Sydney congress demonstrated the power of connection. “Both within and beyond the formal program, the Congress provided numerous opportunities for networking and to foster collaborations,” she said. “We’re at a key moment of rapid research and technological advances that, through collaboration, can be implemented at a scale we’ve not seen before.”

Looking ahead, she said the Sydney congress will have a lasting impact on global research and policy. “The success of the meeting in Sydney has highlighted the importance of these meetings as a catalyst for new collaborations and as a platform we can build on to drive sustained improvements in policy and practice.”

Behind the success of the meeting was a partnership defined by expertise, collaboration and trust. Professional Conference Organiser Kate Smith from WALDRONSMITH Management said working with BESydney and its partners was key to delivering an exceptional experience for delegates.

“Bringing the global endometriosis community to Sydney for this forum was important for the significant outcomes it will have for women’s health across the world,” she said. “It was a privilege for WALDRONSMITH Management to play an integral role in bringing the Congress to life from the early stages of the bid process, through to final delivery.”

Smith said Sydney’s connected meeting ecosystem – including Tourism Australia, BESydney, ICC Sydney, Harry the Hirer and local suppliers – ensured the Congress ran seamlessly. “The support of Tourism Australia and BESydney was invaluable, as was the professionalism, expertise and collaborative approach undertaken with our valued suppliers to deliver success for our shared client.”

Delegates also experienced Sydney at its most vibrant, with the Congress Celebration evening coinciding with the opening night of Vivid Sydney. “Delegates experienced the colour and spectacle of the festival aboard The Jackson. It was a truly memorable experience for locals and internationals alike,” Smith said.

The World Congress on Endometriosis 2025 showcased not only the scenic sites of Sydney but also positioned it as a city that drives discovery, fosters collaboration and delivers measurable impact. For BESydney, it was yet another demonstration of how global meetings in Sydney create lasting value for the city, its partners and the world.

As Professor Abbott reflected, “The BESydney team are true partners who provide a seamless experience at every step. They understand the need for speed and clarity, messaging and how to boost the likelihood of success when preparing the bid, and follow up right through to post-congress review. Professional, passionate and a delight to partner with.”