8 July, 2026
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) has officially confirmed that its 2026 General Assembly will convene as an in-person summit, serving as a cornerstone event during the prestigious ERS Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Scheduled for Tuesday, 8 September, from 14:00 to 15:30 CEST, the assembly will take place in Room 3G of the FIRA Barcelona. This pivotal meeting is designed to bring together the global respiratory community, offering members a direct platform to review the Society’s progress, influence its governance, and define its strategic trajectory for the coming years.
Main Facts: The 2026 General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the European Respiratory Society. As the primary forum for democratic participation, it grants active members the authority to shape the organization’s administrative and scientific landscape. The 2026 meeting is particularly significant as it follows a period of rapid evolution in respiratory medicine, necessitated by shifting global health priorities and technological advancements in patient care.
Key Logistics:
- Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
- Time: 14:00 – 15:30 CEST
- Venue: FIRA Barcelona, Room 3G
- Participation: Open to all ERS members, with voting rights reserved for active members.
The agenda for this year’s assembly is comprehensive, covering the audit of the previous year’s financial performance, the election and ratification of key executive proposals, and a high-level review of the Society’s constitution and by-laws.
Chronology: A Year of Strategic Transition
To understand the significance of the upcoming assembly, one must examine the timeline of events leading up to this September gathering. The last 12 months have been defined by an aggressive push toward digital integration and the expansion of the Society’s global advocacy programs.
- September 2025: At the previous Congress, the Executive Committee outlined a "Vision 2030" roadmap, emphasizing the need for more agile governance.
- January 2026: The ERS leadership began the internal review process for the proposed changes to the by-laws, focusing on streamlining member engagement and diversifying the leadership pipeline.
- April 2026: Preliminary financial reports were circulated to the board, reflecting the Society’s resilience in a complex global economic environment.
- July 2026: The official announcement of the 2026 General Assembly is released, accompanied by the publication of the proposed 2026 Constitution and the meeting agenda, allowing members ample time to review the documents before the vote.
- September 2026 (Upcoming): The assembly convenes in Barcelona to finalize these proposals.
Supporting Data: Governance and Accountability
The ERS operates under a framework of transparency that requires rigorous oversight. The documents released in conjunction with this announcement serve as the bedrock for the upcoming discussions.
The Constitutional Shift
The proposed ERS Constitution for 2026 represents the most significant update to the Society’s foundational documents in half a decade. Key changes include:
- Statutory Adaptation: The Society is looking to modernize its statutes to accommodate a more globalized membership base.
- Financial Oversight: A critical component of the assembly is the review of annual membership fees. The Executive Committee will present a fiscal analysis justifying potential adjustments to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Society’s research grants and educational programs.
- Membership Empowerment: By revising the by-laws, the Society aims to lower the barrier for entry for junior members while maintaining the rigorous standards expected of a world-leading medical body.
Members are encouraged to consult the proposed changes to the ERS by-laws and the proposed ERS Constitution for 2026 well in advance of the meeting.
Official Responses and Member Engagement
The ERS leadership has expressed a strong desire for robust participation. In a statement released alongside the meeting notice, representatives emphasized that the strength of the Society lies in its collective intelligence.
"The General Assembly is not merely a formality; it is the heartbeat of our Society," a spokesperson for the Executive Committee noted. "Whether we are discussing the allocation of funds for the next generation of respiratory research or refining the ethical standards of our publications, every voice matters. We encourage our members to attend, question our decisions, and, most importantly, share their visions for the future of respiratory medicine."
The Society has made the meeting agenda publicly available to ensure that all participants are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the discussions. Furthermore, the minutes from the previous General Assembly are available for review, providing a clear record of the issues that were raised and the actions that were subsequently taken.
Implications: Why This Meeting Matters
The decisions made on 8 September will have far-reaching consequences for the future of the Society and, by extension, the broader field of pulmonology.
1. The Future of Advocacy
As the ERS continues to lobby for better respiratory health policies at the European Union level, the General Assembly serves as the primary mechanism for setting these advocacy goals. Changes to the by-laws will dictate how the Society engages with policymakers, potentially enabling a more rapid response to emerging respiratory health crises.
2. Fiscal Sustainability
Respiratory research is capital-intensive. By voting on membership fees and reviewing the accounts, members are directly participating in the financial planning of the Society. This ensures that the ERS can continue to fund high-impact clinical trials and support young scientists through fellowships and research grants.
3. Strengthening the Community
In an era where much of professional interaction has shifted to digital platforms, the decision to hold the General Assembly in person at FIRA Barcelona underscores the value the ERS places on face-to-face dialogue. The assembly provides a unique space for networking, allowing members from diverse backgrounds to cross-pollinate ideas and forge partnerships that could lead to the next breakthrough in respiratory care.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The 2026 General Assembly in Barcelona stands as a critical juncture. For active members, this is more than an opportunity to cast a vote; it is an invitation to take ownership of the Society’s path.
The challenges facing respiratory medicine—from the rising incidence of chronic respiratory diseases to the environmental impact on lung health—require a unified, well-governed, and forward-thinking organization. By participating in the General Assembly, members ensure that the ERS remains a vibrant, responsive, and powerful advocate for the medical community and the patients they serve.
Final Checklist for Attendees:
- Verify Membership Status: Only active members are eligible to vote.
- Review Documentation: Read the agenda, the proposed constitution, and the by-laws via the provided links.
- Prepare Questions: Bring forward your queries regarding the Society’s recent developments or your ideas for future initiatives.
- Be Present: Arrive at Room 3G at the FIRA Barcelona on 8 September at 14:00 CEST.
The future of the ERS is in your hands. Join your colleagues in Barcelona and help shape the next chapter of respiratory medicine.
