Athens to host groundbreaking EAES Congress, spotlighting Greece's rise in minimally invasive surgery
The city of Athens is set to host a major international medical event in June 2026, as it will welcome the 34th International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES). This prestigious congress will take place at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, a venue well-known for facilitating high-profile scientific and professional gatherings. The EAES congress is an important platform for the global surgical community, focusing on the latest advancements in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical techniques. It reflects the ongoing shift in medical practice towards procedures that minimise tissue disruption, offering patients benefits such as faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and reduced postoperative pain.
The organisation of the event has been entrusted to the Hellenic Association for Endoscopic Surgery (HAES), with Dr Fotis Archontovasilis playing a key role. Dr Archontovasilis, who is the Chief Surgeon at the Centre of Excellence for Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgery and the Head of the Sixth Surgery Clinic at Metropolitan General Hospital in Athens, was invited as a speaker and chair at the recent 33rd EAES Congress held in Belgrade. He holds the prestigious “Master Surgeon of Excellence” certification in abdominal wall hernia surgery, a distinction few Greek surgeons possess. In announcing the Athens congress, Dr Archontovasilis also revealed that from January 2026 he will serve as President of HAES, having previously been its First Vice President. Speaking about the event, he described it as a great honour not only for himself and HAES but also for Greece as a whole, emphasising the congress as a meeting point for over 2,500 leading surgeons and scientific experts. He highlighted the congress as a key institution in minimally invasive surgery, noting that hosting it in Athens signals international recognition of the Greek surgical community and marks the country as an innovative hub in modern surgical practice.
The EAES annual congress draws a diverse international crowd of surgeons and medical specialists eager to exchange knowledge and collaborate on future innovations. Scheduled from 23 to 26 June 2026, it is expected to showcase cutting-edge technologies and techniques in endoscopy, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery. Athens’ selection as host city is seen as strengthening its status as a centre for medical education and innovation in Europe. The event will also build on Greece’s established reputation for organising significant surgical forums, such as the forthcoming 34th Panhellenic Congress of Surgery, set for late 2025 at the same venue, which addresses a broad range of surgical topics including technological advances and AI integration in healthcare.
Dr Archontovasilis’ personal accolades further underline his contribution to the field. He is recognised by the Surgical Review Corporation as a Master Surgeon in Hernia Surgery, reflecting his commitment to patient safety and excellence in minimally invasive hernia and digestive system procedures. His leadership in national and international forums for laparoscopic and robotic surgery promotes both continuous professional education and the engagement of younger medical professionals in these evolving fields.
The anticipation surrounding the 34th EAES Congress highlights the growing importance of minimally invasive surgery globally and underscores Greece’s emerging role as a pivotal centre for surgical progress and expert collaboration in this specialty.