After more than 60 hours of simultaneous presentations, conversations and collaboration, the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025 closed on Saturday 31 May, marking the end of an inspiring global gathering and the beginning of new ambitions for the profession.
Held at the Tokyo International Forum, the congress welcomed over 4,000 participants from more than 120 countries, including physiotherapists, researchers, educators and leaders. In his closing reflections, World Physiotherapy president Michel Landry noted: “Greatness is in the agency of others… Alone, we don’t. Collectively, we do.”
Catherine Joy Escuadra, congress programme committee chair, spoke powerfully about what had made this congress feel different: “What was even more powerful for me was witnessing you be open to sessions on soft skills, ethics and even diversity, topics that go beyond clinical practice and speak to the heart of who we truly are as professionals.”
Catherine also announced the winners and runners-up for the World Physiotherapy outstanding platform awards, the World Physiotherapy outstanding platform awards: early career researchers, and World Physiotherapy outstanding platform regional awards. She invited them to join her on the stage, together with the World Physiotherapy award winners who had been announced during the opening session.
Mark Elkins, PEDro steering committee, presented the PEDro prize for best randomised trial to Hannah Withers (Australia) for the trial: Is remotely delivered physiotherapy as good or better than face-to-face physiotherapy for the management of some musculoskeletal conditions? The closing session acknowledged the hundreds of contributors who made the congress possible, including volunteers, programme reviewers, exhibitors, and suppliers. Special thanks were offered to outgoing board member Stacy DeGale for her service to the profession.
Hideyuki Saito, 公益社団法人日本理学療法士協会/Japanese Physical Therapy Association president, described the event’s lasting national impact: “This is a legacy that will stay with us.”
Looking ahead, Guadalajara, Mexico, was announced as the location for World Physiotherapy Congress 2027 and Judith Deutsch was announced as the chair of the congress programme committee for 2027.
Claudia Figueroa Padilla, AMEFI Colegio Nacional de Fisioterapia/Mexican Association of Physiotherapy president, said: “This milestone not only marks a historic achievement for us, but also recognises the growth, quality and strength of Latin American physiotherapy.”
Mariachi music and cultural festivities closed the ceremony on a high note, as international colleagues embraced with a promise of colour, connection and celebration to come in 2027.
As the audience waved goodbye to Tokyo, the message was clear: physiotherapy is advancing not only in skill, but in spirit, and the world is moving with it.
