WFOT hosted a successful Congress in in Bangkok, Thailand 9-12 February 2026 with more than 2400 delegates from 96 countries. Keynote speakers, symposia, nine concurrent streams of short presentations, plus lightning talks and poster sessions were featured over the course of the event. WFOT appreciated all those who were able to travel to Bangkok to participate in the Congress. For those unable to join WFOT at the Congress, catch the excitement of the event by viewing the highlights at the link below.
The closing ceremony of the Congress marked the ending of the term of office of Samantha Shann as President of WFOT. During the closing, Samantha reflected on a journey as President that provided the opportunity for building meaningful partnerships. Her journey shaped her both personally and as an occupational therapist by working with and being inspired by occupational therapists from around the world. Samantha thanked the many people who trusted and supported her in her role, and shared with her their many and diverse perspectives of occupational therapy.
Go to the WFOT website for Samantha’s remarks at the Congress Closing Ceremony.
Dr. Tecla Mlambo was introduced during the Congress closing ceremony as the incoming President of WFOT, the first occupational therapist from the African region to assume this role. Tecla was humbled by the opportunity to assume the Presidency and pledged her commitment to leading with integrity, transparency and collaboration to advance the work of WFOT. She encouraged the profession to work together, as together more can be achieved to strengthen our professional voice and advocate for occupational therapy to be accessible to all.
The WFOT Board for 2026-2028 was introduced at the Congress, including:
• Tecla Mlambo, President • Kee Hean Lim, Board Director - Education • Athena Yi-Jung Tsai, Board Director - Finance • Consuelo Alzamora, Board Director - Practice • Annika Lexén, Board Director – Research • René Lejeune – Member At Large • Ritchard Ledgerd, Executive Director (ex-officio)
WFOT acknowledges significant contributions to WFOT by past Executive Management Team members, and contributors to significant projects through its prestigious service award called the Merit Award. 2024 and 2026 WFOT award winners were recognised during the Congress Awards and Recognition session. WFOT congratulated the following award winners:
WFOT Thelma Cardwell Foundation Award for Research
The aim of the WFOT Thelma Cardwell Foundation Award for Research is to provide funding for pilot projects or small-scale feasibility projects that can build and/or strengthen research capacity in occupational therapy. The recipient of the 2026 WFOT Thelma Cardwell Foundation Award for Research is Vera Kaelin. Vera will be working with co-investigator Kristin Ann Carandang on the research project entitled Competencies for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Scientists in an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Influenced Context: A Delphi Study.
WFOT Collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO)
WFOT has been in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1959. The relationship is subject to a triennial review based on agreed outcomes that form the WFOT/WHO Collaboration Plan. WFOT was commended by the WHO Executive Board at its 158th session in February 2026 for the continuing dedication of the Federation for supporting the work of WHO. A decision was therefore made to maintain WFOT in official relations with WHO.
A General Assembly Meeting with representatives of WFOT member organisations was held in Bangkok, prior to the 2026 WFOT Congress. Decisions of the General Assembly included the approval of the following new members:
• Maldives (Associate member) • Moldova (Associate member) • Hungary (Associate member) • Sint Maarten (Associate member) • United Arab Emirates (Associate member) • Mongolia (Full member) • Vietnam (Full member)
With the approval of these new members, WFOT now has 88 Full members, 23 Associate members and 6 Regional groups.
The General Assembly approved a 2026 version of the Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists. The Minimum Competencies of Occupational Therapists, were also approved, a new WFOT document that describes the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours expected of graduates from an occupational therapy education programme.
The 2026 version of the Minimum Standards (Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists and the Minimum Competencies of Occupational Therapists) are now available in English on the WFOT website. French, German and Spanish versions will be posted as the translations become available. The website information includes questions & answers, plus a video that explains the development and key changes included in the Education Standards.
It is planned that the new WFOT Education Standards will be fully implemented for WFOT approval of education programmes in 2028. Education programmes due for approval in 2027 may elect to use either the 2016 or 2026 version of the Education Standards.
