The WONCA Europe Council met on 17 September 2025 at the Lisboa Congress Centre, before the opening of the 25th WONCA World Conference.
While marking the organization’s 30th anniversary, delegates from the WONCA Europe Member Organizations, along with observers and guests, participated in discussions and decision-making.
Key highlights included:
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Reports & Approvals: Minutes from Dublin 2024 were approved. The President’s report emphasized scientific contributions EU project involvement, and policy advocacy.
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Finances: A positive 2024 financial outcome was reported, with future funding directed toward research, education, and scholarships.
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Equity & Advocacy: Updates were shared on the Organizational Equity Committee and the Working Party on Policy Advocacy, with continued emphasis on recognition of family medicine as a medical specialty and engagement with EU institutions.
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New Initiatives: Proposals for a Special Interest Group on Clinical Ultrasonography (POCUS) and a Health Emergency/Disaster Risk Management initiative were presented and supported for further development.
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Elections & Committees: New Executive Board members and statutory committees were elected and approved by acclamation:
President: Thomas Frese
Immediate Past President: Shlomo Vinker
President-elect: Ioanna Tsiligianni
Hon. Secretary: Aaron Poppleton
Hon. Treasurer: Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu
Members at large:
EGPRN: Radost Asenova
EURACT: Esra Saatci
EQUIP: Jose Miguel Bueno Ortiz
EYDFM: Charlotte Morris
EURIPA: Ferdinando Petrazzuoli
EUROPREV: Serdar Öztora
Statutory committees:
Finance Committee: Ferdinando Petrazzuoli (Chair), Alexandra Stanescu (Honorary Treasurer); Thomas Patel-Campbell; Jelena Rakic Matic
Membership Committee: Radost Asenova (Chair); Leonas Valius; Berk Geroglu
Nomination Committee: Ioanna Tsiligianni (President-Elect); Zejdush Tahiri; Michal Shani
Bylaws Committee: Peter Torzsa (Chair); Nena Kopcavar Gucek; Aaron Poppleton (WONCA Europe EB)
- Bylaws: Several amendments were passed, modernizing voting procedures, quorum definitions, and SIG terms of reference.
- Awards: Outstanding contributions were recognized through the WONCA Europe 5-Star Doctor Awards, scholarships, and journal prizes.
WONCA Europe 5-Star Doctors 2025: Jana Bendova and Peter Torzsa
Montegut Global Scholar 2025: Sidika Ece Yokus
EJGP Most Valued Paper Award 2024: Ishbel Orla Whitehead
WONCA Europe Scholarship 2025: Deepthi Lavu and İkbal Hümay Arman
- Conferences: Future meetings will be held in Paris 2026, Ljubljana 2027, and Istanbul 2028 (selected host).
- Leadership Transition: A handover marked the close of the current President’s term, with thanks extended to outgoing Executive Board members.
Shlomo Vinker delivered a farewell speech, reflecting on his term as President during the COVID years and the return to regular activities. He acknowledged the meaningful contributions of all Executive Board members, noting their volunteer efforts and achievements for both themselves and the profession. He expressed gratitude for the support and for the wonderful years of collaboration.
Thomas Frese expressed his gratitude to Shlomo Vinker as he assumed the presidency. He also thanked departing Executive Board members Eva Hummers, Zalika Klemenc Ketis and Adam Windak for their dedicated service and contributions.
- The next WONCA Europe Council meeting will take place in Paris on 30th June 2026, 9.00 – 15.30