Sydney wins bid to host major obstetrics and gynaecology congress in 2026

Sydney has won its bid to host the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) Congress in 2026. Sydney’s global business event bidding specialists, BESydney partnered with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) on the successful bid. The decision was made by vote of the AOFOG member countries who gathered in Bali for the AOFOG Council and General Assembly at the end of May. The Congress is expected to attract 2,000 delegates to Sydney over four days and BESydney estimates it will inject A$7.4m ($5.38m) into the local economy. The AOFOG Congress is a biennial event that brings together healthcare specialists from across the Asia-Oceania region. The Congress covers topics and regional issues including Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Women’s Healthcare Service, Gynaecological Oncology, Reproductive Medicine, General Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Urogynaecology, Endoscopic Surgery and Reproductive Health. NSW Minister for enterprise, investment and trade, tourism and sport, and Western Sydney, The Hon. Stuart Ayres said: “This will be a wonderful opportunity for the professionals right across this region to come to a world-renowned location for medical science, medical expertise, and particularly the work that’s being done across our hospital networks in obstetrics, gynaecology and neonatal care. In my own community of Penrith, we have only just opened a new neonatal care ward, and this has been reflected across a number of locations across New South Wales.” BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said 2026 will be a fantastic time for global business events in Sydney. “Sydney’s new 24-hour international airport in Western Sydney at the foot of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains is coming online in 2026. This critical new infrastructure piece, alongside the NSW Government’s precinct-driven economic development strategy, including the new Westmead Health and Innovation District, creates an incredible opportunity for global business events like this one to catalyse investment, trade and knowledge exchange between local and international delegates.” Speaking immediately after the win announcement, RANZCOG president Dr Benjamin Bopp said: “AOFOG was last held in Australia in 1981 and has never been hosted in Sydney and our community is looking forward to welcoming our Asia and Oceania region peers here to experience our vibrant, welcoming, and iconic city.” The AOFOG conference will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney),12-15 October 2026. “The ICC Sydney team is delighted to be welcoming global leaders in the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology, alongside our local medical professionals and talent. This announcement is yet another example of the close partnership we have with BESydney, and we look forward to collaborating on the event organisation,” said Geoff Donaghy, CEO, ICC Sydney. AOFOG 2026 was secured for Australia with support from the NSW Government and Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Programme.