Congress News

The 21st Congress of ECCO once again showcased the breadth and depth of innovation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), spanning fundamental science, translational research, clinical trials and real-world evidence. The 16 selected Digital Oral Presentations (DOPs) highlighted key advances in precision medicine, novel therapeutics and disease monitoring, reflecting the rapidly evolving landscape of IBD care.

The 8th EpiCom Workshop, held during the recent ECCO Congress in Stockholm, brought together leading experts in IBD epidemiology from across the globe. The workshop addressed two of the most pressing challenges currently facing the field: the rapid global rise in IBD incidence and the persistent inequalities in access to care. Structured into two distinct sessions, each comprising a series of expert presentations and interactive discussions, the workshop offered a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective on the evolving IBD landscape.

Within ECCO, two committees have played a pivotal and complementary role in advancing the scientific understanding and clinical management of IBD: the Epidemiological Committee (EpiCom) and the Clinical Research Committee (ClinCom). As both bodies now merge into the newly established Research Committee (ResCom), this report offers a concise reflection on their key contributions and lasting legacy.

The 24th ECCO IBD Intensive Course for Trainees took place on February 18, 2026, in Stockholm, setting the scene for the ECCO Congress. Just over 100 participants attended, representing four continents, once again highlighting the global reach of the course.

The 13th ECCO Ultrasound Workshop – Advanced, organised in collaboration with ESGAR and IBUS, was held during the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm in February 2026 as part of ECCO’s Educational Programme. The workshop was attended by 179 participants and brought together international experts, fostering valuable discussions on recent advancements in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The 13th ECCO Ultrasound Workshop – Advanced, organised in collaboration with ESGAR and IBUS, was held during the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm in February 2026 as part of ECCO’s Educational Programme. The workshop was attended by 179 participants and brought together international experts, fostering valuable discussions on recent advancements in intestinal ultrasound (IUS) for the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The latest ECCO Topical Review provides important, practice-oriented guidance on the increasingly recognised entity of drug-induced colitis (DIC), with a particular focus on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related disease. DIC is described as a heterogeneous condition that can mimic Inflammatory Bowel Disease both clinically and histologically, making diagnosis challenging. Multiple patterns may coexist, ranging from acute and chronic inflammation to microscopic or ischaemic features, none of which are fully specific.

The 11th D-ECCO Workshop took place in Stockholm in February 2026 as part of the ECCO Congress, bringing together dietitians and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals with a shared interest in diet and nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The workshop once again highlighted the growing importance of nutritional science in IBD care, combining evidence-based updates with practical clinical insights and interactive discussion.

The 11th H-ECCO IBD Masterclass was held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 08:00 to 17:15. As a cornerstone of the H-ECCO Committee’s educational initiatives, this masterclass was designed specifically for a multidisciplinary audience of histopathologists and clinicians. The course ensured a high level of professional engagement and shared foundational knowledge among all attendees.

Dear Friends, It was great to see so many familiar faces and to meet so many bright, new and enthusiastic Y-ECCO Members at the recent 21st ECCO Congress in Stockholm.

Now that the inbox calm has (mostly) returned post ECCO, it is time to look back at the 12th Y-ECCO Science Workshop, held on February 18, 2026, just ahead of the main ECCO Congress in Stockholm. The workshop once again proved why it is a fixed highlight of the meeting: generous presentation times, fearless discussions and science that is anything but ‘junior’. Early-career researchers shared the stage with senior experts, creating an open and stimulating atmosphere that encouraged depth, nuance and curiosity.

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Working Group on Microscopic Colitis (MCWG) at the 21st Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) in Stockholm. This represents a significant step forward in strengthening research, collaboration and clinical guidance in this important field of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs).

Johnson & Johnson sponsored two satellite symposia at the 21st Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO 2026). These symposia were predominantly based on practical and engaging patient case studies that showed how guselkumab clinical trial data can be applied in real-world inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care. The goal was to give clinicians actionable, evidence-based guidance for IBD management.

Warm greetings from the ECCO News Team! As we approach the end of 2025, it's time to mark your calendars for what promises to be an exceptional gathering of the IBD community: the 21st Congress of ECCO, taking place February 18-21, 2026 in Stockholm! This year, the ECCO Scientific Programme takes a refreshing turn: rather than narrowing our focus, it widens it. The concept of "holistic IBD care" isn't just another buzzword: it's an acknowledgment that treating IBD successfully means looking beyond single endpoints and isolated interventions. From patient-ce

Dear Friends, It was very nice to see so many familiar faces at the recent UEGW meeting in Berlin, and even better to see so many Y-ECCO Members making important contributions. The days are getting shorter and colder, which can mean only one thing… the ECCO Congress is coming!

The Educational Programme of the 21st Congress of ECCO starts prior to the official start of the ECCO Congress and courses take place from February 18-20, 2026. These activities target ECCO’s different interest groups including young gastroenterologists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, IBD Nurses, dietitians, allied health professionals and scientists...

The abstract submission for the 21st Congress of ECCO [link to congress homepage] is open now. To submit an abstract please visit the abstract submission page [link to abstract submission page], which also contains important information on the submission process and the guidelines for abstract submission.

Dear Y-ECCO Friends, Now that the sun is setting on the summer, I hope that everyone has enjoyed a break with friends and family. The Y-ECCO Committee was delighted to host the 3rd Y-ECCO Mentorship Forum in Vienna in June. While we retain the same format each year, rotation of the faculty and delegates means that the forum is always different. We were again supported by many senior members of the ECCO Family, who kindly gave up their time, and the meeting was once more a great occasion and a fine opportunity to come together outside of the congress.

The Educational Programme of the 21st Congress of ECCO will commence prior to the official start of the ECCO Congress, and courses will take place from February 18 to 20, 2026.

At the 21st Congress of ECCO in Stockholm, the Nurses of ECCO (N-ECCO) will host the educational activity for IBD Nurses, N-ECCO School, for the 17th time. ECCO intends to give nurses, who might be still in training and have an interest in IBD, the possibility to attend an IBD-focused course. The ultimate aim of this programme is to improve nurse education throughout Europe.