PRESS RELEASE: Melbourne to host Australia’s largest gastroenterology conference next weekend!

Melbourne to host Australia’s largest gastroenterology conference.

The Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) and the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) and the have partnered in 2025 to deliver the largest gastroenterology and hepatology conference in Australia.

Taking place from 19-22 September 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the World Congress of Gastroenterology at Australian Gastroenterology Week 2025 (WCOG@AGW25) will bring together leading medical professionals under the theme ‘Emerging Frontiers in Gastroenterology and Hepatology’.

The aim of this meeting is to showcase new research and address the mounting gastrointestinal challenges overwhelming healthcare systems globally- from inflammatory bowel diseases to gastric cancer, liver disease, functional GI disorders, and other emerging conditions, such as the impact of microplastics on gut health. With a three-day program featuring a main plenary session, research and case-based presentations, open discussion and networking events, we are bringing health care professionals together across disciplines to learn and talk about the current state of gastroenterology and hepatology.

With Australia ranking among the highest globally for rates of IBD and home to world-leading specialists working to improve patient outcomes, the country provides an ideal setting to explore these emerging frontiers in gastroenterology and hepatology.

This year we welcome 38 international speakers, fostering intercultural exchange and a multidisciplinary, global approach to GI health. An additional 130 expert clinicians, researchers and educators from within Australia will present the latest research, practical instruction, case-studies impacting gastroenterology and hepatology.

We’re approaching 2500 attendees, with at least 600 international delegates travelling to the conference including from Bangladesh, India, China, Pakistan, the USA, Ireland, Mexico, France, Greece, Japan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Uruguay, Rwanda. This is a truly international meeting of scientific and academic minds, confirming Australia as a go-to destination for this kind of large-scale conference.

Highlights:
• Specialist program streams featuring sessions on AI, Global health and Sustainability, IBD, GE Cancer.
• Internationally renowned researchers and clinicians including Nicholas Talley, Nageshwar Reddy, Uri Laudabam, Miguel Mascarenhas (AI), Michael Bourke, Barry Marshall (Nobel Laureate).
• Presentation of prestigious awards and lectureships, including the Bushell and Brohee lectures, and the Young Investigator Awards (YIA).
• Dignitaries attending include:
– Victorian Chief Health Officer, Caroline McEnlay to deliver opening address on Saturday, 20 September.
– Deputy Lord Mayor

WCOG@AGW25 is hosted with support from the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), who endorsed our bid to host the conference, and support from the Victorian Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program.

This confluence of international expertise and local innovation positions Melbourne as a global hub for gastroenterology and hepatology research, reinforcing Australia’s leadership in addressing some of the most pressing digestive health challenges facing the world today.

Event Details

World Congress of Gastroenterology at Australian Gastroenterology Week 2025
19-22 September 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
www.wgo-agw25.gesa.org.au

Media Contact:
Alicia Cook- 0420 460 293
[email protected]
Please email to schedule attendance at the congress and to arrange interviews.

We can also arrange comments from the below members:
Geoffrey Metz, President of WGO
Alex Boussioutas, GESA President
Matthew Remedios, GESA Board Member and Spokesperson.

About WGO:
The World Gastroenterology Organisation is the international umbrella organization of gastroenterology and hepatology societies worldwide.
About GESA:
The Gastroenterological Society of Australia is the peak professional body for gastroenterologists and hepatologists in Australia.