Members of the Chinese Society of Neurology (CSN) are keen to host the XXVII World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in 2025 in Beijing. It will give the CSN great honor to welcome their colleagues worldwide to participate this prestigious event, for the first time, in China.
With 14 branch societies and 700,000 members, CSN is a non-profit national social organization established in 1910 and has the institutional aim of promoting scientific research, clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological diseases. CSN is now the largest and most well-known society with a focus on neurology in China. CSN plays a leading and active role in the nation’s medical education, training, and professional exchanges in the area of neurology and brain health.
CSN will strive to deliver a high-level XXVII WCN for neurologists, scientists, practitioners, and experts to share academic achievements, participate various education and training activities, and translate scientific advances into action all over the world. By closely collaborating with World Federation of Neurology (WFN), national and international academic organizations and media, CSN will also be committed to distribute updated knowledge from WCN 2025 to various countries around the world.
During the XXVII WCN, we are going to address a wide range of new global neurological challenges, highlighting the challenges of diagnosis and treatment for neurological diseases in developing countries and potential solutions. We would also like to provide opportunities for members of the community to have immersive and personalized experience of scientific research and clinical practice in China by visiting our hospitals and research institutes in Beijing. We aim to bridge global resources and build international clinical and scientific networks to facilitate local and international collaborations, and, ultimately, accelerate neurological research and therapy.
China is the most populous and the largest developing country in the world, with a population of 1.4 billion. While they have made some impressive progress, more efforts are needed to meet the challenges posed by an aging population—the most vulnerable group to neurological diseases. XXVII WCN in 2025 will provide an extraordinary opportunity to bring together both local and international scientists, clinicians, public health experts, and policy makers to promote health and address the urging need to alleviate the epidemic of neurological diseases in China.
CSN holds more than 20 academic conferences each year, the largest of which is an annual neurological meeting that attracted about 8,000 participants nationwide in 2019. Prof. Yongjun Wang, the president of CSN and president of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, and his team are also experienced in organizing international congresses. The most well-known is Tiantan International Stroke Conference, which has been held annually since 2000 with about 10,000 delegates attending.
China National Convention Center (CNCC), the proposed conference venue, covers an area of 270,000 square meters, with a construction area of 530,000 square meters, and has enough capacity to hold large-scale conferences. CNCC is right next to the Bird Nest Stadium (China National Stadium for the 2008 Olympics opening and closing ceremony) and is suitable for viewing the beautiful scenery of Beijing. Around CNCC, there are plenty of luxury and comfortable hotels to accommodate enough attendees. CNCC is 25 km away from the Bejing Capital Airport, which is convenient to travel to and from most countries.
Beijing is China’s capital city, with over 21 million residents with an administrative area of 16,410 km2. With its history of more than 3,000 years, combining both modern and traditional style, Beijing has become a global city and one of the world’s leading centers for culture, education, and science and technology. By the end of 2019, there are 11,311 medical and health institutions, including 733 hospitals and about 100,000 practicing (assistant) physicians.
This bid has received overwhelming support from the entire CSN. We pledge to make sure the conference is successful, and the stay of doctors, researchers, and guests in Beijing an enjoyable and memorable experience. •
Brisbane, Australia
It is with great anticipation and excitement that the Australian New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) submits this bid for the 2025 World Congress of Neurology (WCN) to be awarded to Brisbane.
Australia and New Zealand are proud multicultural nations. Approximately 50% of our populations are born overseas or born to parents of overseas origin, many from the Asian and Oceanic region. This gives us a unique understanding of and ability to cater to the needs of the regional and international neurological community.
Australia and New Zealand have a tradition of excellence in neurology and have contributed to major advances in understanding of neurological disease through strong national and international collaborations, in both basic and clinical research.
Education is the most important aim of the conference. Our members are well placed to help design and deliver a high-quality program that is diverse and inclusive of both local and international experts and registrants, and of young speakers. We would advocate for topics that are of relevance and interest to our region and also of global relevance. These are sessions on indigenous health, led by indigenous members of the scientific community, and climate change. Climate change is a critical issue in Oceania, whose islands are predicted to suffer catastrophic effects from rising sea levels. We will highlight the importance of this issue by ensuring and advertising that the meeting is carbon neutral.
Australia is experienced in holding large-scale international scientific meetings and will offer our unique antipodean hospitality. We will contribute a strong local flavour to the meeting by drawing on our unique indigenous cultures and our vibrant local music and entertainment.
Brisbane is a superb place for a conference. It receives direct flights from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre (BCEC) is in the heart of the city, with hotels of all grades within easy walking distance. The BCEC is modern and well-designed, with beautiful theatres and spaces, and a collection of superb Australian aboriginal art. The BCEC was voted the World’s Best Convention Centre in 2016-2018. In 2014, it was selected to host the G20 summit (the “best ever”). It has a dedicated “dietary requirements” kitchen that can satisfy all cultures and needs.
The BCEC is close to parks, museums, theatres and restaurants, and the riverside district. delegates can easily walk or cycle along the river. WCN will ‘own Brisbane’ for the week – signs in the airport, banners in the streets and lit-up buildings will welcome delegates to our city, and also highlight to the public the importance and value of neurological sciences. We have identified a range of striking locations for the official dinners and, to showcase Australia and New Zealand cuisine and culture, we are already planning a spectacular event for all delegates.
The bid, if successful, will be supported by nearly $1 million in funding from city, state, and federal government, mitigating the risk of hosting the WCN.
The World Federation of Neurology has a goal of increasing access to neurological services, and the congress regularly offers support to neurologists from low-income countries. In addition, to advance neurology in our region, ANZAN will invite, as our sponsored guests, the physicians who care for neurological patients in Oceania. We anticipate this will lead to significantly increased personal connections among our nations, and provide pathways for neurology training.
Furthermore, as a legacy, any profits from the Congress will be used for education in our region. ANZAN already has a category of membership for neurologists from low-income countries and though our Asia-Pacific committee has a diverse programme of teaching, that will be extended to become a lasting benefit of holding the WCN in Brisbane.
Australia and New Zealand are a unique pair of countries that are worth exploring. The Australian aboriginal people have the world’s oldest living culture, and the indigenous peoples of New Zealand and the Oceanian region have a rich Polynesian culture. Visitors can also explore our cities, beaches, deserts, reefs and rainforests. All the important sites can be reached easily from Brisbane.
As additional arguments in favor of our bid, we point out that the ability of Brisbane to host major events is recognized by its listing as the preferred host for the 2032 Olympic games. Furthermore, the WCN has been held in the Southern hemisphere on only three previous occasions. The ability to highlight and advocate for neurological sciences would provide benefit to our region by locating the Congress once again in the southern hemisphere. •
Istanbul, Turkey
On the behalf of the Turkish Neurological Society, it is a great pleasure and honor for us to submit this letter of intent to the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) to host the World Congress of Neurology in 2025, in Istanbul.
The Turkish Neurological Society was established on May 12, 1992, as a separate society. The aim of our society is to increase awareness of neurological diseases in Turkey, to investigate the impact of neurological diseases on public health, to make preventive studies, and to improve education and research facilities of professionals related to neurology. Moreover, increasing the recognition of neurological diseases, improving the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions with the collaboration of related fields including child neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, radiology, cardiology, physical treatment and rehabilitation, ophthalmology, and otology are accepted as the main goals. In addition to neurologists acting as our full members, we have psychologists, physiotherapists, nurses, and medical students acting as associated members who work together to catch the target. The overall number of members is around 2,600 at the time being who will be looking forward to attending the World Congress of Neurology, which will be held in their country.
Istanbul, as Turkey’s most populous city a cultural and financial center, bridges Europe and Asia both physically and culturally. From this point of view, one may easily recognize its unique location in connection with the opportunities it presents regarding international events and organizations. The city is offering an outstanding infrastructure in the framework of the conference and exhibition venues, best accommodation alternatives with almost 112,000-bed capacity and over 222 five- and four-star hotels, Istanbul offers a variety of options, including top international and domestic hotel brands, at a variety of price points. In the widest price range, and most enjoyable social event opportunities together with cultural and historical aspects belonging to the times where Istanbul used to be the capital of three ancient empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Istanbul is an ideal city to convene congresses with 100 to 30,000 or more participants.
The city is home to seven convention centers and three exhibition centers, each capable of hosting major events with thousands of delegates. Istanbul has four independent meeting clusters spread around the city—The Congress Valley, the Golden Horn, the Airport Area, and the Asian side.
Istanbul Congress Center is located in the city center and covers an area of 120,000 m2 on a total of eight floors, which includes a 3,705-pax auditorium, meeting halls, and exhibition areas. It is only at a walking distance from a wide range of hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Istanbul is considered one of the main air traffic hubs connecting many international airlines from Europe to Middle East, Asia and Africa and served by more than 50 airlines from all parts of the world. Travel time to Istanbul from all major cities of Europe is between two and three hours. The national carrier of Turkey, Turkish Airlines (THY) has branches in almost all of the European countries also member of Star Alliance. Most of the countries’ citizens may obtain their visa at the airport upon arrival.
As a strong verification to its prestigious ranking Istanbul hosted conferences in recent years that received praise from all sides. Some of the main congresses are World Dental Congress FDI, with 15,000, International Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology EADV hosting 8,100 delegates, EFNS-ENS Joint Congress of Neurology with 5,000, Ninth World Stroke Congress WCS with 2,500 can be counted within the prestigious meetings that Istanbul hosted.
We believe that the World Congress of Neurology will be an excellent opportunity for academic and scientific exchange among neurologists from all over the world, with the reasonable and attractive costs that will be committed. It will be a great facility for thousands of neurologists not only from Turkey but also from the region to attend this organization at the southeastern part of our continent. With your great support and our experience, our goal is to make the World Neurology Congress 2025 a glorious, unforgettable event.
We look forward to welcoming you to Turkey. We would be honored to receive your support to organize this event in Istanbul in 2025.
Let us meet where the continents meet. •
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a city where both modern and traditional cultures coexist. Remnants of history are seen among modern architecture in this mega-city. Whether for business or leisure, travelers can enjoy this global city steeped in tradition and history. Traveling to Seoul is convenient with visa-free entry for 112 countries and direct flights to and from 108 cities and 54 countries. In addition, the city is considered to be one of the safest in the world, with the highest safety and lowest crime index in 2016. Furthermore, because Seoul is accessible and safe for locals and tourists, the Union of International Associations has recognized it as one of the top three convention cities for five consecutive years. Coupled with Korea’s highly successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuous efforts to safeguard its citizens and tourists, Seoul is the perfect place for people to come together for mutual exchanges of ideas through international conventions.
We propose to hold the 2025 World Congress Neurology (WCN 2025) at COEX, a global convention center located in Gangnam, the heart of modern Seoul, where major technological hubs are clustered. COEX has a subterranean design that combines vibrant spaces with state-of-the-art facilities, and we anticipate using approximately half of the venue for the event. The venue’s design and layout will provide ample space for academic and scientific activities, including lectures and sessions as well as social events. Numerous international conferences, such as the G20 Seoul Summit and the Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM), have been successfully held at this venue. COEX is surrounded by hotels, Duty-Free shops, banks, a large department store, and emergency facilities, such as hospitals and police and fire stations. In addition, COEX has Asia’s largest underground mall with over 300 stores and restaurants, a movie theater, a library, and even an aquarium. The variety of activities COEX offers allows participants to unwind after a day of scientific pursuit and networking. They may opt to go shopping, take a stroll in nearby parks, visit a spa, or enjoy their entertainment of choice.
Additionally, traveling to and from the venue and airport—anywhere within Seoul—is convenient thanks to an abundance of taxis and mass transportation, including the subway and bus. Participants can quickly get around the city and fully enjoy its culture, history, aesthetics, and architectural design. Therefore, we anticipate that hosting the event at COEX will provide an overall unforgettable experience for all.
Inspired by the World Federation of Neurology’s steadfast drive despite the many difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic posed, the Korean Neurological Association (KNA) is more committed than ever to support the growth, knowledge, and innovation of the neurological society by ensuring the successful organization of this premier educational event.
We believe that this could take place in the heart of Seoul and wish to extend our support and enthusiasm moving forward. Furthermore, we hope that by hosting this event, we will pave the way for a more robust network among the various international neurological societies, including the KNA, to achieve high-quality neurologic care. Although the association is a relatively new society founded in 1982, we have extensive experience hosting major scientific meetings over the last decade. Specifically, we have successfully hosted 2,600 participants at the World Stroke Congress 2010 and 1,600 participants during the 2018 AOCN (the most attended AOCN meeting), both in Seoul. Thus, the KNA is more than capable of organizing and hosting such a big conference while ensuring that participants enjoy both the Congress’s scientific programs and social events, as well as any leisure activities.
In Seoul, our fellow World Federation of Neurology members will surely enjoy furthering themselves in pursuing the skills and knowledge needed in neuroscience. Moreover, they will also enjoy socializing with locals and fellow convention attendees; enjoy authentic Korean cuisine; explore the country’s culture, local activities, shopping, and everything in between. We believe that Seoul is suitable for the WCN 2025 and hope you will strongly consider our capital for the future conference. •