The 19th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) will take place this spring, for the first time in Finland. Held at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 29–31 May, the congress is expected to attract around 3,000 healthcare and medical professionals from across the globe.
Palliative care is holistic care aimed at improving the quality of life of patients suffering from serious or incurable illnesses. The congress is jointly organised by the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) and the Finnish Society for Palliative Medicine (SPLY). The previous EAPC Congress was held in Barcelona in 2024.
The EAPC World Congress is a multidisciplinary forum for education, research, and professional exchange in the field of palliative care. It brings together doctors, researchers, educators, nurses, hospice volunteers, patient advocates and other stakeholders in the field. Around half of the participants are medical doctors. The congress offers high-level educational content and serves as a key platform for networking, as well as for sharing knowledge and research.
Palliative Atlas highlights Finland’s position in global palliative care
The aim of palliative care is to relieve pain and provide psychological, social and spiritual support to patients and their loved ones. The final phase of palliative care is end-of-life or hospice care, which focuses on supporting patients approaching death. Palliative care is delivered in hospitals, health centres, home care and hospices, with doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals and volunteers all playing an important role.
During the EAPC Congress, the latest edition of the WHO Palliative Atlas will be launched. The Atlas provides a comprehensive overview of the need for and availability of palliative care in different countries. In Finland, it is estimated that around 75,000 patients require palliative care each year.
Seven international congresses at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre in 2025
EAPC’s organising partner is the German event agency Interplan. Interplan has also coordinated major international congresses at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre in 2017 and 2022.
“Interplan has been very pleased with the opportunities our venue offers and with the smooth cooperation, and they went on to recommend us to their client, EAPC. We are thrilled to provide the setting and professional support of our events team for such a significant world congress,” says Paula Blomster, Congress Manager at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
It’s a busy year for international congresses at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. In 2025, the venue will host seven international congresses, bringing a total of 25,000 international delegates to Helsinki and generating an estimated economic impact of around 50 million euros for the city.
