12 Feb 2026

All eyes on Sydney as city wins premier APAC ophthalmology congress

Media Releases

Sydney has won the right to host the 2030 Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress. The congress will be hosted by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, where 5,500 medical professionals, researchers and clinicians are expected to discuss clinical innovations to prevent blindness and restore sight.

Business Events Sydney (BESydney), an independent not-for-profit convention bureau supported by the NSW Government and private sector members, and RANZCO won the rights to host the event in Hong Kong last week.

The congress is expected to inject $21 million in direct expenditure into the city’s tourism economy, helping to support jobs across the tourism, events and hospitality sectors.

BESydney CEO, Amanda Lampe said, “Sydney is a hub for health and research innovation, strengthened by expanding medical and health precincts and emerging industries across the life sciences.

“Our city brings together globally respected universities and healthcare institutions, advanced research facilities, world-class conference facilities and a welcoming, well‑supported environment for delegates,” she said.

RANZCO President, Professor Peter McCluskey AO said, “RANZCO is deeply honoured to be awarded hosting rights for the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress in Sydney, Australia in 2030. The Congress brings extraordinary talent from across the Asia Pacific to our region and creates a powerful platform to expand education, collaboration, and shared leadership. We look forward to working with the APAO over the coming years to deliver a world-class Congress.”

Ms Lampe said it can often take several years to develop these bids. “In the case of this bid, BESydney worked behind the scenes with RANZCO and several of Australia’s leading ophthalmologists to develop a comprehensive bid presentation at this year’s APAO Congress in Hong Kong.

“BESydney was privileged to work with RANZCO leadership to win this bid for Sydney, including RANZCO President, Professor Peter McCluskey AO, BESydney Global Ambassador, Professor Frank Martin AO AM, Professor Nitin Verma AM, Professor Colin Chan and Dr Joevy Lim, with the full support of RANZCO’s management team.”

Image courtesy of Tourism Australia

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