WVC Incheon, Korea 2017

Congress Overview

WVC Incheon, Korea 2017 was the 33rd World Veterinary Congress, held at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon from August 27 to 31, 2017. The event was organized by the WVC Incheon, Korea 2017 Organizing Committee and welcomed 5,117 participants from more than 79 countries for a shared scientific and professional program.

Site sections covered the welcome message, committee structure, and general congress details for attendees and partners.

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The global veterinary community gathered in Incheon for a landmark event that underscored the importance of international cooperation in animal health. Delegates from across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa convened to share knowledge and experience, reflecting the truly worldwide nature of the congress. The scientific program embraced a broad spectrum of disciplines, from companion animal medicine to livestock production, ensuring that practitioners, researchers, and educators alike found sessions relevant to their daily work and long-term professional aspirations.

A central theme of the congress was the concept of One Health, recognizing the deep interconnection between human well-being, animal health, and environmental stewardship. Sessions explored how veterinary professionals serve as a vital bridge between these domains, addressing zoonotic disease surveillance, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance. The discussions highlighted the essential role veterinarians play in safeguarding public health, reinforcing the message that advances in animal medicine contribute directly to the health and resilience of communities worldwide.

The scientific program offered a comprehensive overview of contemporary clinical practice and emerging research. Dedicated streams covered small animal surgery, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, and emergency care, providing attendees with practical insights they could bring back to their clinics and hospitals. Alongside these clinical tracks, specialized forums on porcine and avian health addressed the challenges facing modern production systems, while equine and bovine sessions drew practitioners working with large animals in both rural and urban settings.

Veterinary education and professional development formed a cornerstone of the congress agenda. Workshops and seminars gave early-career veterinarians and students the opportunity to learn from established experts in an interactive environment. Topics ranged from anesthesia protocols and pain management to advances in veterinary dermatology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. These educational sessions emphasized hands-on learning and case-based discussion, fostering a spirit of mentorship that extended well beyond the formal program into informal exchanges during breaks and social gatherings.

The exhibition hall provided a dynamic space where veterinary suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology innovators showcased their latest products and services. Attendees explored new diagnostic tools, nutritional formulations, and practice management solutions designed to enhance the quality of care delivered in clinics and hospitals around the world. The exhibition also served as a networking hub, where delegates connected with industry representatives, discovered emerging trends, and discussed the practical applications of scientific advances presented during the congress sessions.

Animal welfare emerged as a recurring and deeply resonant topic throughout the five-day program. Speakers addressed welfare standards in companion animal practice, livestock transport, and shelter medicine, encouraging delegates to consider ethical dimensions alongside clinical and economic factors. The conversations extended to wildlife health and conservation, with sessions examining the veterinary role in protecting biodiversity and managing disease in free-ranging populations. These discussions reflected a profession increasingly committed to advocacy and leadership in the welfare arena.

The host city of Incheon offered a fitting backdrop for an event of this scale and ambition. Songdo ConvensiA, with its modern facilities and waterfront setting, accommodated the thousands of participants who traveled from over seventy countries to attend. The congress venue, situated within a purpose-built international business district, allowed for seamless movement between lecture halls, poster sessions, and the exhibition floor, creating an environment where scientific exchange and professional camaraderie could flourish without logistical distraction.

Looking toward the future, the congress devoted significant attention to the strategic vision for veterinary medicine in the decades ahead. Panels and keynote addresses examined how technological innovation, shifting societal expectations, and global demographic trends will reshape the profession. Topics such as digital health, telemedicine, and advanced diagnostics were discussed alongside the enduring values of compassionate care and scientific rigor. The message was clear: the veterinary community must remain adaptable, collaborative, and forward-thinking to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

Registration

Registration information for the congress covered membership guidelines, on-line registration, and visa requirements for international attendees. Early-bird registration was extended to May 31, 2017.

For registration inquiries, attendees were directed to reg@wvc2017korea.com.

Registration details ›

News & Notice

• Abstract submission deadline: March 21, 2017.
• Q&A board for invited speakers opened March 5, 2017.
• Online reservations for the Beer Party with Experts opened May 17, 2017.
• Asian Veterinary Dental Forum Live Demo application posted July 3, 2017.

All news and notices ›