The World Physiotherapy Congress 2025 was held from May 29 to 31 in Tokyo, Japan, with the participation of several thousand physiotherapists from around the world. This major scientific and professional event provided a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the development of international relationships in the field of physiotherapy.
The congress programs were held in six halls and included keynote lectures, specialized panels, networking sessions, and coordination meetings of member organizations. The scientific level of the presentations was remarkably high and diverse, covering innovative topics in physiotherapy education, research, and clinical services.
Dozens of scientific papers were presented in poster and e-poster formats in the exhibition areas. These were reviewed and discussed in the presence of the authors and attendees. This year, a group of Iranian physiotherapists also participated in the congress, coordinated and managed by Iran Septa Company, the official representative of ITO in Iran. Several of these participants also presented scientific papers.
On the first day of the congress, the regional meeting of the Asia-Western Pacific Region of World Physiotherapy was held, which was attended by the president of the Iranian Physiotherapy Association. On the sidelines of this meeting, discussions were held with Mr. Michael Landry, President of World Physiotherapy, and Mr. Marco Pang, Regional Chair of the Asia-Western Pacific Region, regarding Iran’s re-admission to World Physiotherapy. Fortunately, preliminary agreement was reached to remove existing barriers and facilitate Iran’s official return to this international organization. The necessary administrative and legal procedures are currently underway.
One of the highlights of this congress was the wide range of specialized panel discussions on important and practical topics, such as:
•    How disability informs physiotherapy
•    Changing models in geriatric physiotherapy
•    Exploring excellence in stroke rehabilitation
•    Health literacy in physiotherapy education, policy and practice
•    Rehabilitation 2030: matching programmes to local context
•    Women’s health: challenges to making an impact in clinical and education settings
•    Physical activity guidelines: does one size fit all?
•    Learning health systems in physiotherapy
•    Making sense of osteoarthritis
These panels offered valuable opportunities to learn about new approaches and exchange international experiences.
For the first time, a new section titled Clinical Seminars was added to the congress. These interactive sessions, based on case studies, addressed practical clinical questions. Some of the topics included:
•    Self-management support in MSK practice
•    Rehabilitation for frailty patients with cardiopulmonary disease
•    Falls in older adults
•    Occupational health physiotherapy
•    Effectiveness of aquatic physiotherapy
•    Spinal manipulation and mobilization in paediatrics
•    The scope of school-based physiotherapy
•    Rehabilitation for injury prevention in sport
•    Access to lymphedema physiotherapy services
•    Neurological physiotherapy in movement disorders
•    Exercise testing for cardiopulmonary diseases
•    Movement quality and body awareness for mental health
Networking sessions were also an engaging and essential part of the congress, aimed at fostering professional connections among specialists with similar fields of interest. Participants engaged in informal and friendly discussions in dedicated groups, including:
•    Mental health
•    Paediatrics
•    Electrophysical agents
•    Sports
•    Oncology, HIV, and palliative care
•    Pelvic and women’s health
•    Neurology
•    Private practice
•    Aquatics
•    Older people
•    Acupuncture
Alongside the scientific meetings, an exhibition of medical and physiotherapy equipment was held, featuring more than 70 international companies showcasing the latest technologies and specialized devices.
In addition to its academic and research dimensions, the World Physiotherapy Congress serves as a vital platform for policymaking, professional alignment, and shaping the future of physiotherapy on a global scale.
The next congress will be held in May 2027 in Mexico. We hope that with the removal of current barriers and improved financial support, the Iranian physiotherapy community will have a more active and extensive presence at the event.