The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has announced that its full portfolio of congresses, teaching courses and exams in 2021—including the ESC Congress 2021—will be held online, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement issued on behalf of the ESC president Stephan Achenbach (University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany) yesterday evening confirmed the decision. ESC held its 2020 Congress online for the first time from 29 August–1 September. The 2021 edition of the event was slated to take place in London over 28–31 August.
In the statement, Achenbach said: “We all continue to feel the impact of the COVID-19, both in our professional and personal lives.
“For the ESC, our commitment remains the same: to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease by bringing you the very latest advances in cardiovascular medicine and clinical practice, through programmes that are engaging and easily accessible.
“As such, the ESC has decided to deliver its full portfolio of congresses, teaching courses and exams – up to and including ESC Congress 2021 – in new online formats.
“Until we can safely reinstate our in-person events, we believe these new initiatives will help fill the inevitable gaps and provide you with exciting and new opportunities to learn with world renowned experts, share your work and network with colleagues far and wide.
“Our daily routines have indeed been affected but our focus on excellence in cardiovascular medicine has not. We remain committed to your professional growth so that you, in turn, may provide the best possible care to your patients.”
