Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of ESRA and the Organising Committee, we invite you to join us in Thessaloniki for the 39th Annual ESRA Congress – State of the Art Safety Standards in Regional Anaesthesia.

Since its foundation in 1980, ESRA has sought to associate and affiliate into one organization all anaesthesiologists, physicians, and scientists who are engaged in, or interested in regional anaesthesia and pain medicine. Our vision is to provide comfortable care everywhere through education, research and knowledge together in an innovative and open Society.

As in previous years, the focus of the scientific programme will be on state-of-the-art presentations in our field as well as new insights into basic science, clinical research, and therapeutic interventions. For the whole programme the interaction between speakers and the audience is of utmost importance. The scientific standard at the annual ESRA Congress is now recognised as one of the best in the world and as a result carries a high rating with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

The Scientific Committee has developed a programme with topics covering all the fields of interest in the application of regional anaesthesia/analgesia alone or in multimodal approaches. Acute and chronic pain management topics of special interest for anaesthesiologists will also be included.

The type of sessions will be refresher course lectures, networking sessions, pro/con debates, panel discussions, luncheon sessions, special workshops including cadaver workshops, and of course free paper and E-Posters. Residents are invited to submit their papers for inclusion in the ESRA Resident Best Free Paper and the ESRA Best Abstract Award competitions.

ESRA 2020 will also give us the time and opportunities for networking. While enjoying our outstanding scientific programme, ESRA’s Annual Congress is the place to network with your peers, meet old friends and make new ones. This year’s programme features several networking opportunities and occasions.

During the Thessaloniki Congress you will have the possibility to register for the first part (written exam) of the Certified EDRA (European Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management) and EDPM (European Diploma of Pain Medicine). For those participants who have already successfully completed the first part of these diplomas there will be the opportunity to take the second part (practical).

We very much expect you to enjoy this exciting anaesthesia congress set in Thessaloniki!