The 19th World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Congress, held from 9–12 February 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, brought together more than 2,400 delegates from over 100 countries. With speakers representing more than 70 nations and sponsors from across the globe; The Occupational Therapy Service contributed to the event as lanyard sponsors, demonstrating a clear commitment to continued professional development and to promoting the value of occupational therapy both within the UK and internationally.

Reflected both the scale and diversity of the occupational therapy profession today, the Congress highlighted local and global professional priorities. Working with the Occupational Therapy Association of Thailand, WFOT collaborated with local occupational therapists, agencies, and government to raise the profile of occupational therapy in Thailand, examining workforce needs, education standards, and scope of practice.

 

A Global Platform for Shared Learning

The Congress served as a vital global forum, showcasing a breadth of research, innovation, and practice. Keynote sessions emphasised the centrality of occupation, highlighting the need to strengthen assessment and to advance rights-based, community-centred approaches across all areas of practice.

A recurring theme throughout the Congress was the persistent gap between evidence and practice. We have more research, more frameworks, more global guidance than at any point in our professional history and yet it still takes up to 17 years for research to be fully embedded into day-to-day practice. Addressing this requires more than system-level change. While structural, organisational, and cultural barriers differ significantly between high- and low-income countries, change at the individual level remains equally challenging and important.

Leaders from the World Health Organisation, WFOT, International Committee of the Red Cross, ATScale, Humanity and Inclusion, and World Physiotherapy emphasised the importance of multisectoral and partnership working to meet global needs. The world is not on track to achieve universal health coverage by 2030 as set out in the UN Sustainable Development Gaols. Globally, there remain significant gaps in access to rehabilitation and assistive technology, affecting billions of people worldwide. Addressing these challenges requires:

• Strengthening primary health care systems
• Expanding the rehabilitation, including the occupational therapy workforce
• Adopting integrated, person-centred models of care

Digital health and artificial intelligence were highlighted as important enablers however, only when implemented in ways that remain people-centred, rights-based, and grounded in equity.

The Congress reinforced a vital message that occupational therapy is a global science, but its application must always be adapted to local cultural and societal contexts to be truly effective. Good occupational therapists question their assumptions; great occupational therapists actively translate new knowledge into practice.

 

Shaping the Future: Education and Professional Standards

WFOT Education Day, held prior to the Congress, marked the launch of the revised WFOT Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists (updated 2026), alongside a new global competency framework. These publications ensure occupational therapy education and practice align with contemporary global health needs.

Key discussions at Education Day and throughout Congress focused on:

• Cultural responsiveness in practice and education
• Innovation in fieldwork education
• Preparing a workforce capable of responding to diverse and evolving contexts.

There was also an engaging student forum, allowing students to interact directly with global and local leaders. Discussing professional identity and advocacy for occupational therapy with curiosity and an openness to learn. Such initiatives ensure that the profession remains relevant, adaptable, equipped to meet future challenges and supportive of future leaders.

 

From Dialogue to Partnership

A strong theme emerging from the Congress was the importance of authentic partnership. Moving from discussion to action requires time, trust, and sustained commitment. Effective collaboration depends on genuine co-ownership, co-creation of projects, shared resources, and collective accountability. Ensuring that underrepresented regions and voices are actively included in these partnerships is not optional, it is essential for achieving equitable and meaningful progress.

 

Strength in Diversity

There was a palpable sense that occupational therapy is not simply a profession, but a global community united by shared purpose.

The Congress programme reflected a deliberate commitment to diversity. Embracing both evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and creating space for a wide spectrum of professional dialogue. This inclusive approach is critical in sharing best practices and advancing the profession collectively.

Many social media reflections from delegates highlighted face to face, direct engagement with the global occupational therapy community as both inspiring and professionally enriching. Events of this scale provide more than knowledge exchange; they create space for meaningful dialogue, shared reflection, and the development of collective direction. Congresses are essential for strengthening evidence-informed practice, igniting research and building more inclusive, sustainable health and social care systems worldwide.

 

Conclusion

The 19th WFOT Congress was more than a gathering; it was a reaffirmation of the profession’s shared identity and future direction. It highlighted both the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead. In a world full of complexity, occupational therapy stands at a pivotal moment. Bridging the gap between evidence and practice, strengthening global partnerships, and ensuring culturally responsive, community-centred care will define the next phase of the profession.

Congress programmes need to be diverse, represent evidence-informed as well as evidence-based practices, and cover the depth and breadth of occupational therapy, thereby encouraging us to continue learning from the full scope of the profession and not just our own areas of practice. This diversity in programme content is significantly mirrored in The Occupational Therapy Show speaker programme.

Occupational therapists are united by a belief that participation in meaningful occupation matters. The question is no longer whether we have the knowledge. The question is whether we have the courage to act on this knowledge.

For me, the message from Bangkok is clear: “We are stronger when we work together, and the future impact of occupational therapy depends on our collective ability to turn connection into action.”

Samantha Shann. Director, The Occupational Therapy Service – Immediate Past President of WFOT.

WFOT resources are available at  - https://wfot.org/resources