World Physiotherapy regional chairs and vice chairs from its Africa, Asia Western Pacific, Europe, North America Caribbean, and South America regions met in Istanbul, Turkey for a two-day summit to collaborate and exchange experiences and ideas.
The two-day summit was empowering and highly collaborative, strengthening connections between regions and the World Physiotherapy executive board and staff. The World Physiotherapy member organisation from Turkey, the Türkiye Fizyoterapistler Derneği/Turkish Physiotherapy Association, hosted an evening during the summit, and we are grateful for the warm hospitality extended.
Throughout the summit, regional executive committee members explored both the shared priorities and the rich diversity across World Physiotherapy regions. Discussions highlighted the value of learning from colleagues in different contexts, with the exchange of experiences and best practices helping regional executive committee members identify common challenges as well as unique perspectives. This approach fostered a strong sense of collaboration and mutual growth.
Key conversations also focused on the importance of transparency and clear communication between World Physiotherapy and its regions. Regional executive committee members shared practical ideas to improve openness and strengthen information-sharing processes, recognising these steps as essential to building trust, reinforcing relationships, and advancing the organisation’s shared vision.
By the conclusion of the summit, the momentum generated had created a strong sense of unity and motivation. Regional executive committee members reaffirmed the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration across regions to support and strengthen both regional and global initiatives.
World Physiotherapy president Mike Landry stated “it is remarkable while all our regions are different in so many ways, there are also common themes that we can all work on together to find creative solutions to advance the profession globally. When one member organisation has success in one region, it moves everyone forward - so as we create solutions to address challenges, we become an example of the idiom ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’”.
There was broad agreement that these conversations should continue, both among regions and with the World Physiotherapy board, to maintain progress and build on the outcomes of the summit.
In attendance were:
Mike Landry, President
Suh-Fang Jeng, Vice president
Joseph Capo-Chichi, World Physiotherapy Africa region
Henry Opondo, World Physiotherapy Africa region
Marco Pang, World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific region
Nehal Shah, World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific region
Esther-Mary D’Arcy, World Physiotherapy Europe region
Carmen Suárez, World Physiotherapy Europe region
Jenny Audette, World Physiotherapy North America Caribbean region
Lorie Lawrence, World Physiotherapy North America Caribbean region
Rocio de la Rosa, World Physiotherapy South America region
Maria José Paredes, World Physiotherapy South America region
Sidy Dieye, Chief executive officer
Heidi Kosakowski, Head of membership, education and development
Birgit Mueller-Winkler, Policy manager
Pablo Davó Cabra, Professional adviser
