WEVA – World Equine Veterinary Association: History, Mission & WEVA Congress 2026
WEVA, the World Equine Veterinary Association, serves as a global hub for equine practitioners, delivering practical resources and continuing education to strengthen equine welfare everywhere.
Established in 1985, WEVA’s mission is to improve access to high-quality equine veterinary training – especially in regions where educational opportunities are limited.
Today, WEVA brings together equine practitioners, researchers, and industry partners from across the globe, making it one of the most important international platforms for equine veterinary collaboration.
A Brief History of WEVA
- 1985 – WEVA was founded as a division of the World Veterinary Association (WVA).
- 1987 – The first WEVA meeting was held as part of the 23rd World Veterinary Congress in Montreal, Canada.
- 1997 – WEVA became an independent body, creating its own governance and congress structure.
- 2000s – The association introduced intermediate meetings between biennial congresses to increase access for equine vets in underserved regions.
Since then, WEVA has grown into a globally recognised authority, bringing leading experts to regions such as Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia, where access to advanced CPD is limited.
What WEVA Does Today
WEVA operates as a global hub for equine veterinary development. Its activities include:
- Biennial World Congress – a flagship event drawing delegates from dozens of countries.
- Intermediate meetings – targeted educational events hosted in developing regions to improve access.
- Support for emerging associations – WEVA helps establish or strengthen national equine vet associations worldwide.
- Educational equity – congress fees and resources are adjusted to reflect World Bank country income classifications, ensuring access for vets in lower-income regions.
- Global collaboration – WEVA works with established national associations, including BEVA (UK), AAEP (USA), AVEF (France), and EVA (Australia).
WEVA Congress 2026: Bangkok, Thailand
The 18th WEVA World Congress will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together equine veterinarians from across the globe.
- Pre-Congress Wet Labs: 26-27 January 2026
- Congress Dates: 28-30 January 2026
- Venue: Bangkok, Thailand
Delegates can expect:
- Cutting-edge lectures on clinical medicine, surgery, reproduction, imaging, and emerging topics.
- Practical wet labs with hands-on training.
- Opportunities to meet leading specialists and share knowledge across regions.
- A unique cultural experience, combining Thai hospitality with world-class veterinary science.
How WEVA Connects to BEVA and Other Associations
WEVA works hand-in-hand with national equine veterinary associations across the globe.
WEVA collaborates with associations such as BEVA (UK) to provide global outreach, speaker support, and resources in regions where CPD access is limited. BEVA has historically contributed funding and expert lecturers to WEVA events.
This collaboration ensures that equine veterinarians everywhere – whether in Europe, Asia, Africa, or South America – can access modern, practical equine veterinary education.
Why WEVA Matters to Equine Vets
WEVA is unique because it:
- Raises global standards by bringing CPD to regions that need it most.
- Strengthens national associations by providing expertise, speakers, and structural support.
- Fosters collaboration between world-leading associations like BEVA, AAEP, EVA, AVEF, and others.
- Offers equitable access through tiered fees and regionally based events.
Join Our Community
We already have a strong community of equine veterinarians from around the world, including South Africa, Australia, the UK, and Europe. If you want to connect with like-minded professionals, gain access to global knowledge, and learn more about WEVA initiatives, now is the perfect time to get involved. Together with WEVA, you’ll be part of a worldwide effort to raise the standards of equine veterinary medicine.
