The WFSBP Executive Committee has been looking forward to hosting the World Congress of Biological Psychiatry this year in August in Istanbul. However, the unexpected devastating earthquake last month in Türkiye has had massive impact on our colleagues, their families and friends and we have been continuing to hear from our colleagues about the toll of the earthquake and the work being done to support citizens of Türkiye. As you will agree with me, in these unfortunate circumstances, the priority of the WFSBP ought to be, to allow the members of the Local Organizing Committee and our Turkish colleagues to focus their relief efforts on mental health and psychosocial supports in the country.

In light of the above, after much deliberation, the WFSBP Executive made a difficult decision to postpone the 16th World Congress of Biological Psychiatry in Istanbul, Türkiye to 4-8 June 2024. We apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause but believe that it is the right decision under the circumstances, as we hope that this will allow our colleagues in Türkiye time to address the aftermath of the earthquake.