The European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2025 in Amsterdam brought together researchers, healthcare professionals and patient representatives to work towards better prevention, care and treatment for people with respiratory diseases. Throughout the week, discussions focused on how science, policy and patient experience can come together to improve lung health across Europe. EFA joined the conference in person and has collected key highlights from a busy week.
Collaboration and learning at the GAAPP Summit
Right before the start of the Congress, EFA took part in the GAAPP Summit 2025, where patient organisations came together to share experiences and strengthen collaboration. EFA’s Community Manager Suzanne Bocoum presented our respiratory projects – COPD Beyond Care, the European Respiratory Academy and the European Lung Health Group, showing how these initiatives aim to improve patients’ lives through advocacy, education and shared expertise.
Suzanne Bocoum (EFA Community Engagement Manager) and Tonya Winders (CEO of GAAPP)
Patient organisations share their expertise
The Congress opened with the European Lung Foundation (ELF) Patient Organisation Day, showcasing how patient experts contribute to healthcare and policy discussions. Representatives from across Europe and beyond shared their work to support people with respiratory conditions and advocate for stronger prevention and care.
EFA Members at ELF Patient Organisation Day 2025 (ERS Congress, Amsterdam)
Sessions focused on lung health priorities such as early detection, prevention and the impact of climate change. During a workshop, participants discussed how the new World Health Organization (WHO) Resolution on Chronic Respiratory Diseases could help strengthen advocacy at national and regional levels. WHO Special Envoy José Luis Castro underlined the need to integrate lung health into primary care.
From left to right: Frazer Goodwin (EFA Policy Coordinator), José Luis Castro (WHO Special Envoy for Respiratory diseases), Susanna Palkonen (EFA Director)
European Lung Health Group marks two years
At the Congress, the European Lung Health Group (ELHG) met in person and marked two years of cooperation under the #KeepBreathing campaign. EFA and members of the group shared updates and discussed how to keep building stronger EU-level action for respiratory health. We underlined the need for greater investment, prevention and care, and discussed how an EU Lung Health Plan could help coordinate efforts across countries.
European Lung Health Group in person meeting at ERS Congress 2025
Research and patient experience in 3TR
Progress in asthma research was shared at the EU-funded 3TR project meeting, where patients, researchers and clinical experts presented results and insights. EFA former president and patient expert Breda Flood spoke about living with severe asthma and how effective treatment has allowed her to live a fuller, healthier life. The meeting highlighted the importance of early disease control and preventing flare-ups to protect long-term health.
3TR project meeting at ERS 2025
Partnering for better asthma care
At the GINA Global Initiative for Asthma meeting, EFA Director and GINA Advocate Susanna Palkonen joined partners to discuss global evidence-based priorities for asthma prevention and access to care. With Professor Guy Brusselle stepping in as GINA Chair, the group looked ahead to future priorities, including the collaboration for World Asthma Day. EFA thanks Professor Arzu Yorgancioglu for her long-standing support for the About Asthma project, which brings GINA strategies into accessible information for patients in several languages, and fosters collaboration with GINA and GAAPP on patient patient-centered theme for World Ashtma Day.
Guy Brusselle (GINA Chair) and Susanna Palkonen (EFA Director)
Patients as partners in care
EFA joined a panel at the Menarini Symposium. EFA Director Susanna Palkonen presented a new European Delphi consensus guide, co-developed by pulmonologists, primary care physicians, patients and patient representatives on patient-centred asthma care, which helps healthcare professionals and patients tailor the choice of treatment through physician and patient collaboration.
Exchanging knowledge at the World Village
At the ERS World Village, EFA and our members shared activities to improve respiratory health across Europe. EFA presented the COPD Beyond Care project and Raising the Bar for COPD Standards of Care report, calling for earlier diagnosis, stronger prevention and equitable, high-quality care for all COPD patients in Europe. Members of our community, including Liliya Gentet from FFAAIR (Fédération Française des Associations et Amicales de malades, Insuffisants ou handicapés Respiratoires) presented initiatives to help people with COPD stay active and improve quality of life. Armando Ruiz from Asma y Alergia España introduced a new manifesto calling for global action with local impact. The World Village was a valuable space for patient organisations, researchers and professionals to exchange ideas and experiences.
The ERS Congress 2025 showed how patient expertise, clinical knowledge and policy can come together to drive better respiratory health for all to #KeepBreathing.