WEVA: World Equine Veterinary Association & Congress Dates

WEVA stands for the World Equine Veterinary Association, an international organisation that advances equine health and welfare through education and collaboration among equine veterinarians worldwide.

Founded in May 1985, WEVA works to expand access to high-quality, evidence-based continuing education, particularly in countries where comprehensive equine veterinary training opportunities are limited.

The next confirmed WEVA event is the WEVA Intermediate Meeting in Turkey from January 29–31, 2027. The 19th WEVA World Congress is planned for May 2028 at the Olivia Center in Gdańsk, Poland.

WEVA Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	World Equine Veterinary Association
Abbreviation	WEVA
Founded	May 1985
Primary purpose	Advancing equine health and welfare through veterinary education
Latest World Congress	18th WEVA Congress, Bangkok, January 28–30, 2026
Next Intermediate Meeting	Turkey, January 29–31, 2027
Next World Congress	Gdańsk, Poland, planned for May 2028
Official website	wevaonline.org

A Brief History of WEVA

1985: WEVA was founded in May as a division of the World Veterinary Association.
1987: WEVA held its first scientific meeting as part of the 23rd World Veterinary Congress in Montreal, Canada.
1997: The sixth WEVA Congress was held in Padua, Italy.
1999: WEVA became an independent, stand-alone association after leaving the World Veterinary Association umbrella.
2001–2003: WEVA formalised its Intermediate Meeting program and supported meetings in Moscow, Kyiv, El Salvador and Beijing.
2026: The 18th WEVA World Congress was held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Since then, WEVA has continued to organise World Congresses and Intermediate Meetings that bring equine veterinary education to practitioners in different regions.

Read WEVA’s official history | Learn more about WEVA’s mission

What WEVA Does Today

WEVA functions as an international umbrella organisation, connecting national equine veterinary associations and practitioners across continents. Its activities include:

World Congresses: International scientific meetings covering equine medicine, surgery, imaging, reproduction, sports medicine and other clinical areas.
Intermediate Meetings: Regional educational meetings held between World Congresses.
Continuing education: Evidence-based education designed for equine veterinary practitioners.
International knowledge exchange: Opportunities for veterinarians, researchers and educators to share clinical experience across countries.
Professional collaboration: Connections between WEVA and national equine veterinary associations around the world.

A recent example was the APVE–WEVA Intermediate Meeting in Panama, held in Panama City from August 12–14, 2026. The three-day program covered subjects including reproduction, neonatal medicine, respiratory disease, fluid therapy, metabolic disease, colic and wound management.

WEVA Congress 2026 (World Equine Veterinary Congress)

The 18th WEVA World Congress was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 28–30, 2026, following two days of pre-congress wet labs on January 26 and 27.

Delegates who attended were provided:

Cutting-edge lectures on equine veterinary 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.

Dr. Sue Dyson, who attended the 2026 WEVA Congress in Bangkok, shared:

“I did enjoy WEVA – but was glad that I spent a few days in Laos in advance – a much quieter, more chilled country… WEVA was interesting because of the diversity of the delegates – 31 countries represented. The Thailand home team were very hospitable.”

Her reflection captures what makes WEVA unique: not just the science, but the global community and cultural experience.

WEVA Congress and intermediate meetings contribute toward continuing professional development (CPD) for equine veterinarians across multiple jurisdictions.

Access the WEVA Congress 2026 Proceedings

The official proceedings from the 18th WEVA World Congress are now available through the International Veterinary Information Service.

The collection includes lecture notes, scientific presentations, oral and poster abstracts, and individual case reports presented during the Bangkok Congress.

View the WEVA Congress 2026 proceedings on IVIS

WEVA Intermediate Meeting 2027 – Turkey

The next confirmed WEVA Intermediate Meeting will take place in Turkey from January 29–31, 2027, in collaboration with the Turkish Equine Veterinary Association.

This is an Intermediate Meeting rather than the biennial WEVA World Congress. The host city, venue, scientific program and registration details have not yet been announced.

WEVA World Congress 2028 – Gdańsk, Poland

The 19th WEVA World Congress will take place at the Olivia Center in Gdańsk, Poland. WEVA currently plans to hold the Congress in May 2028, although the exact dates have not yet been announced.

The Congress will bring equine veterinarians, researchers, educators and industry professionals together for scientific education and international collaboration.

Registration dates, the scientific program, speakers and accommodation information will be added when announced by WEVA.

Visit the official WEVA website for future announcements

Be the First in Line: Worldwide Equine Event Dates & Early Bird Pricing

Inside the WEVA Congress: What Makes It Different

While the science and education are what draw people to WEVA Congress, it’s often the human experience that leaves the deepest impression.

At the recent WEVA World Congress in Bangkok, delegates repeatedly commented on how welcoming and genuinely connected the event felt.

Equine veterinarians from every corner of the world didn’t just attend lectures – they met, compared notes, shared challenges, and swapped stories of equine practice across vastly different systems and cultures.

This sense of openness is very much part of WEVA’s DNA.

Beyond the Lecture Theatre

WEVA Congress is intentionally designed to create space for informal learning – because sometimes the most valuable insights don’t come from slides.

From hallway conversations to shared meals, meaningful professional connections are formed throughout the event. In Bangkok, this extended well beyond the conference hall:

Incredible food – from conference catering to street markets and the memorable river cruise dinner
A relaxed atmosphere that encouraged conversation (including the much-talked-about beer served at afternoon tea on day one)
A closing night where the dance floor was full

These shared experiences help break down barriers between senior specialists, early-career vets, and practitioners working in vastly different conditions.

Global Leadership in Action

One of the most powerful aspects of WEVA Congress is seeing how leadership in equine medicine translates into real support for the next generation.

A standout example discussed during the meeting was the work of Liphook Equine Hospital (UK), where several WEVA speakers have trained or worked, including Dr. Andy Durham and Dr. Rachel Turner.

Their Summerhays Travel Bursary provides graduating interns with funding to undertake international externships. This enables young veterinarians to travel, learn, and build global professional networks.

This kind of initiative reflects exactly what WEVA stands for:

Forward-thinking leadership
Investment in people, not just knowledge
Raising the bar for the profession globally

Recognising Excellence in Equine Research

WEVA Congress also celebrates long-term contributions to equine science and medicine.

Australian equine veterinarian Professor Chris Whitton delivered the Boehringer Ingelheim Clinical Research Award presentation, titled Exploring the Limits of the Equine Skeleton, during the 2026 WEVA Congress.

These recognitions reinforce WEVA’s role not just as an education provider, but as a platform that elevates global excellence in equine veterinary medicine.

Why People Keep Coming Back to WEVA

For many attendees, WEVA Congress isn’t just another CPD event – it’s where professional confidence grows, perspectives widen, and lifelong friendships form.

Between lectures, travel, shared meals, and unplanned conversations, equine veterinarians are reminded that while practice environments differ, the challenges – and the passion for horses – are remarkably similar worldwide.

That sense of connection is what keeps WEVA relevant, year after year.

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 Helps 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.

For clinicians, WEVA offers exposure to diverse disease presentations, management strategies, and practice models that are rarely covered in national CPD programmes alone.

WEVA (World Equine Veterinary Association) – Frequently Asked Questions

What does WEVA stand for?
WEVA stands for the World Equine Veterinary Association, an international organisation focused on advancing equine veterinary education and collaboration worldwide.

Is WEVA part of the World Veterinary Association (WVA)?
WEVA was originally founded as a division of the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and later became an independent organisation with its own governance and congress structure.

Who can attend WEVA Congress?
WEVA Congress is open to equine veterinarians, researchers, educators, and industry professionals from all countries.

Does WEVA Congress count toward CPD?
WEVA Congresses and Intermediate Meetings may contribute toward continuing professional development requirements. Recognition depends on the event’s accreditation and the rules in each veterinarian’s licensing jurisdiction. Attendees should confirm the applicable requirements before registering.

Why is WEVA Congress held in different countries?
WEVA rotates its Congress location to improve global access to equine veterinary education, particularly for veterinarians in developing or underserved regions.

Is WEVA relevant to equine vets in developed countries?
Yes. WEVA provides a global perspective on equine medicine, emerging challenges, and international collaboration that complements national CPD programmes.

When and where is the WEVA Intermediate Meeting 2027?

The WEVA Intermediate Meeting 2027 will be held in Turkey from January 29–31, 2027, in collaboration with the Turkish Equine Veterinary Association. The city, venue, program and registration information have not yet been announced.

When and where is the next WEVA World Congress?

The 19th WEVA World Congress is planned for May 2028 at the Olivia Center in Gdańsk, Poland. WEVA has not yet announced the exact dates or registration details.

For official announcements about WEVA World Congresses, Intermediate Meetings, educational resources and future event dates, visit the World Equine Veterinary Association website and its latest news page.

We will also continue updating this guide as new WEVA dates, locations and registration details are announced.

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