Brisbane to Host the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) Congress in 2027
The International Federation of Fertility Societies has chosen Brisbane as the host city for its next World Congress in April 2027. This decision marks a major milestone for Australia and New Zealand’s fertility sector, bringing together clinicians, researchers, allied health professionals and legal experts from across the globe to share knowledge, debate policy and present the latest advances in reproductive medicine.
What is the International Federation of Fertility Societies?
The International Federation of Fertility Societies, commonly referred to as IFS, is the peak international body that represents major fertility organisations around the world. Member societies include the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand. The IFS World Congress is one of the most important events on the reproductive medicine calendar, rotating between regions and attracting thousands of delegates.
Why Brisbane?
Brisbane was selected following a bid led by the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand. With a strong local and regional fertility community, world-class research institutions and a major events infrastructure, Brisbane is well placed to host an event of this scale. The Congress will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, a venue chosen for its capacity to accommodate concurrent clinical symposia, plenaries, trade exhibitions and networking functions.
“This is an extraordinary moment,” said Stephen Page, a board member and secretary of the Fertility Society of Australia New Zealand. “Brisbane will welcome IVF doctors, fertility counsellors, nurses, embryologists and many others for a truly global exchange of ideas.”
What attendees can expect
The IFS World Congress is more than a conference. It is a comprehensive programme that blends scientific discovery with clinical practice, policy discussions and ethical debate. Attendees should expect:
- State of the art clinical updates from leading IVF clinicians and reproductive endocrinologists.
- Laboratory innovations and presentations from embryologists and embryology teams on improving outcomes and quality assurance.
- Psycho social and counselling streams focused on supporting patients and families through assisted reproductive technologies.
- Legal and regulatory sessions exploring cross border reproduction, surrogacy, consent, gamete donation and legislative reforms.
- Research symposia featuring translational science, fertility preservation, genetics and novel therapeutics.
- An industry exhibition showcasing equipment, digital tools and service providers that support clinic operations and patient care.
Why this matters for Australia and New Zealand
Hosting the IFS World Congress is a vote of confidence in the region’s clinical and academic credentials. It will provide an unparalleled platform for local practitioners and researchers to present work globally, to strengthen international collaborations and to influence future directions in fertility care. For the broader public and allied professionals, the Congress offers an opportunity to see how clinical practice, technology and regulation interact on the world stage.
Opportunities for legal and policy professionals
Reproductive law is a rapidly evolving field. International gatherings such as the IFS Congress routinely generate robust discussion on topics including cross border reproductive care, surrogacy regulation, consent frameworks, and the impact of new reproductive technologies on existing legal structures.
Legal professionals, regulators and policy makers will find particular value in sessions that examine comparative law, emerging ethical dilemmas and the implementation of international declarations. The Congress environment enables interdisciplinary conversations where clinicians and lawyers can directly address practical problems encountered by patients and clinics.
Practical tips for prospective attendees
Those planning to attend or present should consider the following:
- Save the date — The Congress will take place in April 2027. Mark calendars early and watch for formal registration announcements.
- Submit abstracts — International conferences typically open abstract submission well in advance. Submitting research or case studies is a high-impact way to increase visibility and form collaborations.
- Plan travel and accommodation — Book early to secure favourable rates near the convention centre. Brisbane is well served by international and domestic transport links.
- Network strategically — Prepare to engage with clinicians, lab scientists, counsellors and legal experts. Conferences are rare opportunities to create multidisciplinary partnerships.
- Engage with local clinics and societies — Reach out to the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand and local clinics for satellite events, workshops and community activities that often surround a major congress.
Broader impact and legacy
Large international congresses leave a legacy in several ways. They stimulate local clinical standards by exposing practitioners to international best practice. They accelerate research collaborations that persist long after the event. And they help to shape public policy by placing contentious issues on the international agenda, often prompting legislative or regulatory review at the national level.
For Brisbane, hosting the IFS World Congress will also spotlight the city as a knowledge hub for reproductive medicine in the Asia Pacific region. This visibility can attract investment, academic appointments and further educational events that benefit patients and professionals alike.
Final thoughts
The selection of Brisbane for the IFS World Congress in April 2027 is a significant achievement for the regional fertility community. It promises to bring world-leading experts and a diverse international audience together under one roof, to exchange evidence, debate policy and drive practice improvements. For anyone engaged in fertility care, reproductive research or reproductive law, the Congress will be a focal point for learning, partnership and progress.
Stephen Page and colleagues from the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand encourage professionals and interested parties to consider participating and to prepare for a major moment in the fertility calendar when Brisbane becomes the global centre for reproductive medicine in 2027.
