SNAPSHOT 2025
WorldOrganization ofFamilyDoctors
World Organization of Family Doctors
“Thevoicesandleadershipof youngerandunderrepresented colleaguesareessentialtoour future.”
In2025,WONCAenteredanewchapterinitsleadershipandglobalwork.AsItookon theroleofPresident,myfocushasbeenonstrengtheningpartnerships,advancing healthequity,andensuringthatfamilymedicinecontinuestorespondtotheneedsof communitiesworldwide.
Overthepasttwoyears,Ihavehadtheprivilegeofmeetingfamilydoctorsacrossevery region.Frombusyurbancentrestoremoteruralclinics,Ihaveseenfirst-handthe commitment,resilience,andinnovationthatdefineourdiscipline.Theseexperiences reaffirmasimpletruth:familymedicineisattheheartofequitable,people-centred healthsystems.
Mypresidencyalsoreflectsanimportantstepforwardforourglobalcommunity.Asthe firstWONCAPresidentfromLatinAmerica,Iseethisnotasapersonalmilestone,butas asharedachievementforgreaterinclusionandrepresentation.Itisessentialthatwe continuetoopenpathwaysforyoungdoctorsandcolleaguesfromunderrepresented backgrounds,whosevoiceswillshapethefutureofourprofession.
Lookingahead,IamcommittedtoworkingwithourMemberOrganisations,regions, andpartnerstostrengthenprimarycare,supportthehealthworkforce,andpromote carethatisgroundedintherealitiesofthecommunitiesweserve.Together,wecan buildamoreconnected,inclusive,andresilientfutureforfamilymedicine
PROF VIVIANA MARTINEZ-BIANCHI WONCA PRESIDENT 2025 - 2027
Held every two years, the WONCA World Conference is the organisation’s global gathering, bringing together family doctors, teachers, researchers and leaders from across the world. In 2025, Lisbon welcomed 4,300 attendees from 117 countries for a week of learning, exchange and connection. The conference combined a strong scientific programme with leadership meetings, networking and the election of a new Executive Committee, reflecting both the scale and the sharedpurposeoftheglobalfamilymedicinecommunity.
GOVERNANCE
In2025,WONCAcontinuedtostrengthenhowwearegovernedandhowweworktogether. Thisincludedclearerrulesforelections,strongersafeguardsfortransparency,andpractical improvementsinhowtheExecutiveCommitteemakesdecisionsandmanagesitswork.
WHATCHANGEDIN2025
TheTaskforceonMembershipandVoting presentedkeyrecommendationstotheCouncil.
WONCAestablishedanElectionsConductPolicy andElectionsCommitteetooverseethelead-up toelectionsandhandleissuesarising.
Organisationalequitywasstrengthened throughthecreationofregionalOrganisational Equitycommittees.
PolicyofDeclarations(conflict)of InterestandaCodeofConductwere developedforWONCAofficers CouncilandExecutivemeetingswere streamlined.
WONCACOUNCIL
InthedaysprecedingtheWorld ConferenceinLisbon,WONCACouncil broughtMemberOrganisations togethertoconsiderkeyreportsand majorgovernancedecisions,including votingofanewExecutiveCommitee andelections
PROJECTS
WONCAsupportspracticalprojectsthathelpfamilydoctorslearn,lead,anddeliver changebybringingpeopletogetheracrossregions.Weshareexpertiseandtestideas, soplansareclear,relevant,andachievable.Thegoalisbetterprimarycareworldwide.
PROJECTLABS
WithsupportfromtheAmericanBoardofFamilyMedicineFoundation(ABFM-F), WONCAprovidedsupportfortwomajorproposalscurrentlyunderdevelopment: PromotingRationalMedicinePrescribinginPrimaryCareandStrengthening ClinicalEthicsinPrimaryCare,towardsfulldraftsfordonorengagement.
COLLABORATIONHUB
InLisbon,colleaguescametogether aroundglobalissuesandsharedgoals infamilymedicine.150participants discussedprojectconcepts,compared experiencesacrossregions,learnfrom eachother,andagreednextstepson challengesthataffectprimarycare worldwide.Thesessionclosedwith short,informalelevatorpitches,which kepttheatmosphereopenandupbeat.
WONCAcontinuestoworkwith partnersontheSPACEproject,athreeyearEU-fundedinitiativedevelopinga greensocialprescribingmodelfor cancerrehabilitation.Together,the consortiumisshapingapractical approachthathelpsprimarycare teamslinkpeoplerecoveringfrom cancerwithsafe,supportivenaturebasedactivitiesintheircommunities.
MDD MINDS FOR PRIMARY CARE
MDDMindsforPrimaryCarewasledbyWONCA’sWorkingPartyonMentalHealthand developedinpatnershipwithMosaicaSolutionstohelpfamilydoctorsimprovethe diagnosisandmanagementofmajordepressivedisorderinprimarycare.
WorkingacrossninecountriesinAfrica,theMiddle East,AsiaandLatinAmerica,itfollowedathree-step model-MDDMinds101onlinelearning,Train-theTrainerlocalfacultydevelopment,andPerformance inPracticequalityimprovementinclinics.The programmestrengthenedconfidence,supportedmore structuredmentalhealthcareineverydaypractice, andhighlightedclinicianself-careasanimportantpart ofqualitycare.Italsocreatedapracticalmodelthat WONCAcanbuildoninfutureprogrammes
IMPACTINNUMBERS
2,892enrolledinMDDMinds101 581completedthecourse 226joinedTrain-the-Trainer 142localsessionsdelivered 1,697additionalhealthworkersreached 1,011diabetespatientsevaluatedinthe practicephase
TheClosingEventinBrussels broughttogetherclinicians, partnersandpolicymakersto shareresults,regional experiencesandnextsteps.It markedthetransitionfrom projectdeliverytoscalingand sustainingmentalhealthtraining inprimarycareworldwide.
WorldFamilyDoctorDay2025brought familydoctorsworldwidetogetherunder thetheme“BuildingMentalResilienceina ChangingWorld”,highlightingtheroleof familymedicineincontinuityofcare,early support,andcompassionforpeoplefacing mentalhealthchallenges.
WONCAmarkedthedaywithawidercampaignincludingnewmultimediacontent,a collaborativevideowithvoicesfromeveryregion,aninternational“ThreeLittleBirds” performancelinkedtotheMusicandMentalHealthProject,andafive-sessionwebinar seriesonmentalhealthinprimarycare.
WONCAinvitedMemberOrganisationstosubmitreportssocolleaguescouldlearnfrom eachotherandseethemanywaysthedaywascelebrated,fromsymposiaandralliesto public-facingcommunityevents.
FOCUSON:ZAMBIA
TheAssociationofFamilyPhysiciansof Zambialedacommunitymarchtoraise awarenessofmentalhealthandthegrowing roleoffamilymedicine,withspeechesfrom Zambia’sMinisterofScienceandTechnology andDrMpunduMakasa,thecountry’sfirst familymedicinegraduate.
ADVOCACY
ThroughourofficialrelationswiththeWorld HealthOrganization(WHO)andourwider partnerships,webroughtfrontlineexperience intoglobaldiscussions
WONCA’svisibilityinWHOgovernancegrew throughparticipationinsideevents,joint statementsandbilateralengagementwithWHO departmentstoadvancesharedwork.
Wealsoissuedastatementcallingforthe protectionofhealthworkersandpatientsinall conflictzones,includingGaza,Ukraineand Sudan.
READOUR STATEMENTS
Partnershipwith
WORLDHEALTH ORGANIZATION
Progressedanew2025-2027WHO-WONCA collaborationplantostrengthenprimary healthcareandsupportfamilydoctors.
DeliveredformalWONCAstatementsat WHOmeetings,bringingevidenceand frontlineexperiencefromprimarycare
Emphasisedinvestmentinprimarycareand familymedicinetoimproveaccess,continuity andoutcomes.
Highlightedtheroleofprimarycarein respondingtoclimate-relatedhealthrisks,and signedafossil-freecommunicationcommitment alongside40otherhealthorganisations.
AdvancedcollaborationwithPAHOthrougha memorandumacceptedunderFENSA, strengtheningjointworkforprimaryhealthcare.
WORKING PARTIES
RURALWONCA
TheWorkingPartyonRuralPracticeled theGlobalRuralHealthSummitat WONCASAR2025inBengaluru,India focusingonworkforce,accessand climatechallengesinruralcare.Its RuralSeedsnetworkcontinuedto engageyoungdoctors.RuralWONCA wasalsorecognisedaglobalawardfor thelastingimpactofits2022Conference inLimerick,Ireland.
WOMENANDFAMILYMEDICINE
OneofWONCA’slargestandmostactivegroups, supportingwomenfamilydoctorsthrough mentoring,leadershipdevelopmentandglobal peernetworks.In2025,activityexpandedacross allregions,withparticularlystronggrowthin Iberoamericana,wheretheMujeresMédicas Familiarescommunityreachedover168,000 followers.Thegroupdeliveredwebinarsand workshopsatregionalandworldconferences, collaboratedwiththeYoungDoctors’Movement andtheSIGonFamilyViolence,andmarkedkey globaldays.Supportforwomeninfamily medicinewasalsoreflectedinawardssuchasthe AtaiOmorutuScholarship.
DIGITALHEALTH
TheWorkingPartyonDigitalHealthgrew by20%in2025,strengthenedits structurewithanewexecutiveboardand dedicatedworkstreams.Itlaunchedthe bookDigitalHealthinPrimaryCare, withcontributionsfrommorethan50 membersworldwide,andadvancedits flagshiptraining-needsproject,including aglobalsurveyofcurriculain60+ countries.
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
DERMATOLOGY
WONCA’snewestSIG,approvedinMarch2025, Dermatologyhasquicklybuiltmomentum.In 2025,itdeliveredworkshopsatconferencesin KoreaandEurope,alongsideonlinewebinars. Opentoallwithaninterestinskinconditions, thegroupaimstostrengthenclinicalskillsand developresearchinprimarycaredermatology.
EMERGENCYMEDICINE
Growingfastandfullofenergy,the EmergencyMedicineSIGhasbecomeknown foritslively,practicalworkshops.In2025,it drewstronginterestatconferences,including WONCAWorldinLisbon,whereitran“Upin theAir:HandlingEmergenciesMid-Flight”, givingparticipantsahands-onlookatinflightemergenciesandacutecareskills relevanttofamilydoctors.
AGEING&HEALTH
TheAgeing&HealthSIGbringstogetherfamilydoctors, educatorsandresearchersworkingtosupporthealthyageing inprimarycare In2025,memberssupportedtheIAGG eTRIGGERprogrammeacrossmultipleregions,providing36 hoursofgeriatricstraining,andcontributedtoworkwiththe WorldHealthOrganization(WHO).Thegroupalsoransessions inBengaluruandBusanoncommunity-basedcareforolder people
ADOLESCENT&YOUNGADULT
TheAdolescent&YoungAdultCareSIGconnectsfamily doctorsfocusedonimprovingcareforyoungpeople.In2025, itdevelopedanonlinecommunityandresourceplatform,and beganworkonanewtextbooktosupportprimarycare providers.MembersalsocontributedtotheWHOPocketBook ofPrimaryHealthCareforChildrenandAdolescents.
ASIA PACIFIC
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA, 24 - 27 APRIL 2025
Hosted by the The Korean Academy of Family Medicine, WONCAAPR2025wasbuiltaroundthetheme“PrimaryCare Transformation: Implementing High-value, High-quality Care!” and drew 1,200+ family medicine colleagues from 41 countries.Whatstoodoutwasthemixofsystemchangeand real-world practice, with strong attention to AI and digital therapeutics, equity, and building stronger family doctor systems.
ABOUT
IBEROAMERICA
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY, 23 - 24 MAY 2025
Bringing colleagues from 14 Ibero-American countries together under the theme “Family and Community Medicine: more necessary than ever” The atmosphere wasdescribedasamarathonofideas, perspectives,
REGIONAL MEETINGS
EAST MEDITERRANEAN
TANGIERS, MOROCCO, 8 - 11 MAY 2025
HostedbyMGMaroc,WONCAEMR2025 brought family doctors together to strengthen general practice across the region. Standout sessions included modern obesity care and pregnancy supplementation, alongside strong messagesfromWONCAandWHOEMRO on collaboration and better patient outcomes.
andproposals,withstrongdiscussionongender, mental health, critical care, adolescence, and bodydiversity.Amajormilestonewasthesigning oftheMontevideoCharter,asharedstatementof valuesandcommitmentsfortheregion.
SOUTH ASIA
BENGALURU, INDIA, 4 - 6 APRIL 2025
The Academy of Family Physicians of India welcomed colleagues from 23 countries in a vibrant, hybrid format. Builtaroundthetheme“RootedinTradition,Growingwith Innovation.FamilyMedicineforSouthAsianWell-being,”it reflectedtherapidgrowthandrisingconfidenceoffamily medicine in India The meeting was preceded by a Global Rural Summit focused on practical solutions for access, workforcechallenges,andclimatepressuresinruralcare.
THE NEXT GENERATION OF FAMILY DOCTORS CONNECTED SUPPORTED AND READY TO LEAD
YOUNG DOCTORS’ MOVEMENTS
In2025,WONCA’sYoungDoctors’Movementsgaveearly-careerfamilydoctorspractical opportunitiestotakepartinglobalfamilymedicine-presentingresearch,leadingsessions, joiningwebinarsandbuildinginternationalnetworks.Acrosstheyear,youngdoctorswere visibleatconferencesandonline,contributingtodebatesonthefutureofprimarycareand bringingnewenergytoWONCA’swork.
Preconferenceactivitiesatregionalandworldmeetingsgave youngdoctorsaplatformtopresentresearch,shareideasand buildinternationalnetworks.Thesesessionsareoftenafirst stepintoglobalfamilymedicineandremainanimportant waytosupportnewvoiceswithinWONCA.
Throughouttheyear,YDMgroupsalsoorganisedwebinars andcollaborativeprojectsondigitalhealth,cybersecurity, artificialintelligence,planetaryhealthandclimatechange. Scholarships,mentoringandpeersupporthelpedmore youngdoctorstakepart,developprofessionallyandstay connectedacrossregions.Together,theseactivitiesare helpingbuildaconfidentnewgenerationoffamilydoctors readytoleadinachangingworld.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
WONCAcontinuestostrengthenfamilymedicinethrougheducation,trainingand professionaldevelopment.Lastyear,thisincludednewglobalstandards,expanded learningopportunities,andsupportforresearchandleadership.
AmajormilestonewastheupdateoftheWONCAGlobalStandardsforPostgraduate MedicalEducation,providingapracticalframeworkfortrainingprogrammesworldwide andsupportingbothdevelopmentandqualityimprovement.
WONCA’saccreditationworkexpanded acrosspostgraduatetraining,continuing professionaldevelopment,clinicsanddigital systems.In2025,practicesinShenzhen, GuangzhouandShanghaiwereawarded WONCAaccreditation,whilethePingAnCPD programmeinChinamovedintoitssecond yearundertheDevelopmentand EnhancementProgram
WONCA’sawardsandscholarships supportedparticipation,leadershipand researchwithrecorddemandin2025. Scholarshipsweregenerouslyfundedbythe AmericanBoardofFamilyMedicine Foundation,PastPresidentDrDonaldLi,and ChineseTaipeiAssociationofFamilyMedicine whichsupportsemergingresearchersinfamily medicine.
PUBLICATIONS
Newlearningresourceswerealso developed,includingpublicationson mentalhealth,corevaluesinfamily medicine,anddigitalhealth.Alongside webinars,coursesandconferences,these resourcessupportfamilydoctorstobuild skills,shareknowledgeandimprovecarein diversesettings.
PLAY
FIVESTARDOCTORAWARDS2025
ProfLouisJenkins(SouthAfrica)
DrMing-NanLin(Taiwan)
DrFatemehNajafipour(Iran)
DrJanaBendová(Slovakia)
ProfPéterTorzsa(Hungary)
DrKimYu(UnitedStates)
DrPreethiWijegoonewardene(SriLanka)
ProfessorMariaInezPadulaAnderson(Brazil)isawidely admiredanddeservingwinnerofthe2024-2025GlobalFive StarDoctorAward Overfourdecades,shehashelpedshape familymedicineinBrazilasaclinician,teacher,mentorand leader,whilealsoadvancingpublichealthandprimarycare policy.Herworkinunderservedcommunities,medical educationandprofessionalleadershiphasbeenmarkedby compassion,integrityandaclearcommitmenttoequity.A popularchoiceinhernativeBrazil,shehasinspired generationsoffamilydoctorsthroughbothherexampleand herlastinginfluence.
EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE2025-2027
WHAT WE DID IN 2025
AYearinGlobalFamilyMedicine
JANUARY JANUARY
LaunchedWONCAProject Labstoshapefundable proposals. Expandedaccreditation programme. Launched DonaldLiYDM GlobalScholarship.
APRIL
SouthAsiaRegion Conference&GlobalRural HealthSummitBengaluru, India. AsiaPacificConference Busan,SouthKorea.
JULY
Recognisedexcellence throughregionalFive StarDoctorawards. SignedalandmarkMOU withPAHO.
OCTOBER
RuralWONCAwins IncredibleImpactAwards. Launchedfundraising campaignsforOxfamand MSFworkinGaza.
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY
JoinedSPACEsocial prescribingproject,cofundedbytheEU. SharedOECDPaRISSurvey Resultsasadvocacytool. WHOExecutiveBoard.
MAY
WorldFamilyDoctorDay focusonmentalhealth. EastMediterranean Conference,Morocco. Ibero-AmericanCongress, Montevideo, Uruguay. WorldHealthAssembly.
AUGUST AUGUST
Launchedthreenewtitles intheWONCAFamily MedicineSeries. Issuedastatementto protectcareinconflict zones.
NOVEMBER
RespondedtotheUN PoliticalDeclarationon NCDsandMentalHealth. Facilitatednewchairsof WPsandSIGs2025-2027.
MARCH MARCH
HeldtheMDDMinds ClosingEventandshared outcomes. Signedfossilfree communication commitment
JUNE JUNE
Announcedwinnersof MontegutGlobalScholars Programme2026. ProposedAmendmentto WONCABylaws.
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER
WorldConferenceheldin Lisbon,Portugal. WONCACollaborationHub NewExecutiveCommittee elected.
DECEMBER
PremiereofMusicand MentalHealthshortfilm. JoinedGlobalCommission for21stCentury Healthcare. Publishedworkforce studywithPAHO.