For the past few years I have been sending season’s greetings to Member Societies and their affiliated members as 
WFSA Secretary, but this year I am honoured to now express them as WFSA President.
2016 has been a huge year for the WFSA, as we held our World Congress of Anaesthesia (WCA) in Hong Kong, changes were made to the executive structure and functioning of the Federation. You can see more about this on our website in the ‘About Us’ section.
One of the most incredible parts of the WCA was the international feel of the event. The anaesthesiology profession is extremely privileged to have such a large network of engaged individuals that can be brought together under one roof. This global network, made up of all the races, colours, languages and religions that you may imagine, allows us to learn from our colleagues in different parts of the world, and shape the future of anaesthesia, surgery, and global health.
The WFSA is truly unique as it incorporates more than 150 countries over five continents and has close ties with many Subspecialty Societies, making us an expansive and significant network. In the WFSA there is always a place for those who believe as we do that we must work to close the gap in anaesthesia provision worldwide to create a fairer and safer experience for all anaesthesia providers and their patients.
So, dear colleagues across the world, I send my season’s greetings and best wishes for the year ahead.
Happy 2017!
Dr Gonzalo Barreiro, WFSA President
