Dear colleagues,

On behalf of the German Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (DGEM), it is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 48^th ESPEN Congress 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

Over the years, the ESPEN Congress has evolved into the leading global event in the field of clinical nutrition and metabolism. We are proud to continue this success story in the vibrant and inspiring city of Berlin. This year, we will also celebrate the 20^th anniversary of one of ESPEN’s major initiatives – the Nutrition Day project.

Under the motto “Nutrition is the Mission”, we will highlight the pivotal role of optimal nutrition in preventing disease, improving outcomes for patients with both acute and chronic conditions, and safeguarding planetary health through sustainable food systems.

We are convinced that these great challenges can only be met through collaboration. Nutrition care is true teamwork, requiring close cooperation between physicians, dietitians, nutritionists, nurses, pharmacists, and scientists from different fields. This spirit of interdisciplinarity is reflected in the scientific and educational program, jointly developed by the local and central ESPEN committees.

ESPEN 2026 will offer an engaging and diverse program, bringing together thousands of healthcare professionals and scientists from more than 100 countries. It will be a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge science, share best practices, advance education, and strengthen international collaboration across our community.

We warmly welcome you to Berlin and look forward to sharing this mission with you.

Matthias Pirlich, Congress President
Kristina Norman, Chair, Local Scientific Committee
Frank Jochum, Chair, Local Educational & Clinical Practice Committee