WCA 2020

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

In 2012, the Czech Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine put forward a bid for Prague as the venue for the 17th WFSA World Congress of Anaesthesiologists in the year 2020. I am proud to announce that during WCA2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Venue Committee had chosen Prague, Czech Republic, as the site for WCA2020. Their decision was publicly announced during the Closing Ceremony. The joy and exultation of our delegation after the announcement shall remain for years to come.

Prague is the seat of Charles University, the oldest university in Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in 1348 the university has become the centre of education and science for the whole region, where the discipline of anaesthesiology also has a long tradition. It should be noted that the first general anaesthesia in Prague was ad­minis­tered as early as February 7, 1847 and the First Department of Anaesthesia was set up in the Central Military Hospital in 1948.

The city has extensive experience in hosting congresses. It has a large exhibition centre, around 70,000 hotel beds and easy flight connections to all main airports worldwide. Also, several highways and train lines conveniently connect Prague to its neighboring countries.

I have the privilege to cordially invite you to the 17th WFSA World Congress of Anaesthesiologists in Prague in 2020, not only for an ex­change of scientific information, education and meeting friends, but also to experi­ence the hospitality our country has to offer. It is my firm belief that your trip to Prague will be the experience of a lifetime.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Prague during September 1st-5th, 2021.

Prof. Karel Cvachovec

President of the Czech Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine