This year's congress was in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons (IAGES)

The 20th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery (WCES 2024), the flagship event of the International Federation of Societies of Endoscopic Surgeons (IFSES), was inaugurated at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata. This year's congress was in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons (IAGES), bringing together over 2,000 delegates, including more than 200 international faculties and 1,000 trainees from around the world.

The WCES-IAGES 2024 is a tribute to the late Prof TE Udwadia, Founding President, IAGES, honouring his legacy of compassion and innovation in endoscopic surgery. The conference attracted participation from multiple global societies, including the Society of Endo-Laparoscopic Surgeons of Bangladesh, the Society of Surgeons of Pakistan, the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, and others from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

"WCES-IAGES 2024 marks a significant milestone in the advancement of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery, fostering collaboration and innovation across international borders in memory of a pioneering figure, Prof Udwadia. The congress will continue to serve as a platform for the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge and techniques, ensuring continued progress in the field of minimally invasive surgery," said Dr Subhash Khanna, Congress Chairman, WCES-IAGES 2024.

“We are thrilled to bring the World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery to India,” said Prof Ramesh Agarwalla, Congress Secretary, WCES-IAGES 2024. He also adds, “This collaboration with our international counterparts not only underscores the importance of global partnerships in advancing surgical practices but also signals India’s growing influence in the field of minimally invasive surgery."