On May 7, Cairo became the meeting point for endoscopists from across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia when the Advanced Diagnosis Endoscopy Course (ADEC) took place during Egyptian Digestive Disease Week (EDDW). Led by Prof. Jean-François Rey, the one-day course focused on a single clear goal: helping physicians sharpen their diagnostic skills and stay up to date with the latest advances in endoscopy.
From the very beginning, ADEC has been designed to be interactive. So rather than simply attending long lectures, participants were invited to work through real clinical cases, join discussions with international experts, and test their knowledge through live quizzes and practical exchanges. The atmosphere throughout the day was lively and highly engaged.
The scientific program explored some of the most important topics in modern diagnostic endoscopy, including new imaging technologies for lesion detection and classification, detection of early gastric cancer, and endoscopic management of early-stage cancers. Participants had the opportunity not only to learn about new techniques, but also to discuss how these approaches can be applied in everyday clinical practice.
Around 150 participants attended the course, representing Egypt, Sudan, Tanzania, Jordan, and other countries. The faculty included internationally recognized experts such as Jean-François Rey, Lars Aabakken, Li Peng, Serag Zakaria, Ahmed Madkour, and Maali El Sawy.
Reflecting on the course, Prof. Jean-François Rey commented: "ADEC in Cairo was very successful, with a very strong faculty of Lars Aabakken, Serag Zakaria, Li Peng, and others." For Prof. Serag Zakaria, President of EDDW, the success of the course was not only in the scientific sessions, but also in the spirit of collaboration it created. "It was a new piece of success," he said. "The ADEC course this year during EDDW 24 was attended by 150 colleagues. The program was well arranged and very comprehensive, with rich discussions and comments."
He also highlighted the growing cooperation between international societies and Chinese and African experts through initiatives supported by WEO. "WEO patronage of the China–Africa Hands-On Endoscopy Training as well as the China–Africa Forum represented a new form of mutual cooperation between our society, ESEHG [Egyptian Society for the Study of Endoscopy and Hepatogastroenterology], and Chinese professors under the patronage of WEO," Prof. Zakaria explained. "This included the participation of Prof. Lars Aabakken, President of WEO Prof. Jean-François Rey, WEO Past President, and five eminent Chinese professors headed by Prof. Li Peng."
The enthusiasm surrounding this year’s course has already created anticipation for the next edition. "We are looking forward to the coming ADEC course during EDDW 25 in 2027," Prof. Zakaria said. "And we are also looking forward to more scientific cooperation with WEO."
Beyond the lectures and presentations, ADEC 2026 showed how education and international partnership continue to shape the future of diagnostic endoscopy.
