San Sebastian to host top-tier congresses on health, science, sustainability and healthy ageing in June

In June, Donostia/San Sebastián will host professionals and specialists from different fields of knowledge at different international and national leading congresses and conferences. The city will once again be showcased as an attractive destination for professional meetings linked to strategic sectors, such as scientific research, health, sustainability, advanced materials and social innovation.

The congress calendar will get underway from 1 to 5 June with the 19th International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes, ISPE-19, at the Miramar Palace. Jointly organised by the University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, POLYMAT and LEPMI, the symposium will gather together international researchers in the field of polymer electrolytes to address the most recent advances in next-generation electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. San Sebastián was the successful bidder to host the event, with POLYMAT as the local organiser and with the support and collaboration of Donostia Turismoa.

From 3 to 5 June, the Kursaal will host the 36th National Congress of the Spanish Society of Acute and Emergency Medicine, SEMES, one of the most important healthcare events. Under the tagline ‘Advancing With You – Zurekin Aurrera’, the congress will focus on improving acute and emergency care from a collaborative perspective, by integrating the work of emergency healthcare, nursing and medical professionals, in liaison with the general public. The event, awarded after a competitive tendering processes, will have the support and collaboration of Donostia Turismoa, along with a tourist information point set up at the Kursaal.

From 11 to 13 June, the Kursaal will be the venue for another healthcare event, the 72nd National Paediatrics Congress of the Spanish Paediatrics Association (AEP). The event will address key issues for current paediatrics practice, such as introducing new technologies in the clinical care, the latest advances in child health research, and a holistic approach to patient care. The city was also the successful bidder to host this congress and will have the support and collaboration of Donostia Turismoa.

On 15 and 16 June, Science, sustainability and innovation in materials will be centrestage at Green Chemistry and Nanotechnologies in Polymeric Materials, GCNPM, which will be held at the Gipuzkoa School of Engineering. Scientists, researchers and industry representatives will gather together to share the most recent advances in green chemistry, nanotechnologies and polymer science. The programme will address innovative strategies and sustainable solutions aimed at meeting current environmental challenges. Donostia/San Sebastián City Council will be represented at the opening of the congress.
The list of congresses this month will continue from 16 to 18 June with the 3rd World Congress on Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, CAFC, to be held at the Kursaal. Organised by IMSERSO, sponsored by the World Health Organisation, and organised locally by the Basque Government, Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and Donostia/San Sebastián City Council, the congress will be run under the tagline ‘Transforming Together! A Connected, Equitable and Sustainable Age Friendly World!’. The event is part of the first half of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing; it will provide a space to analyse advances, identify pending challenges and set strategic priorities up until 2030. The event will have the support and collaboration of Donostia Turismoa, with a tourist information point at the Kursaal and with measures aimed at fostering the use of public transport by the delegates.

San Sebastian is thus bolstering its position as a venue for specialised congresses and conferences with high added value, linked to knowledge, research, innovation and the major social challenges. These events help to showcase the city as a welcoming and competitive destination for MICE tourism, in line with a skilled and sustainable model connected to the local ecosystem.