Program

From major scientific updates to practical learning and shared discussion, the WCN’27 program is designed to help kidney care professionals explore what is changing in the field and what it means for research, practice, and patient care.

KDIGO Workshop on Kidney Transplantation in Africa (Invitation only)

Key stakeholders come together to address challenges and opportunities in kidney disease management in Africa, with a focus on expanding access to kidney transplantation, practical approaches, and regionally adaptable solutions. Participation is by invitation only. Contact Tanya Green: [email protected].

Thursday, March 26, 2026
9 – 17:00 JST
Hyatt Regency, Yokohama

Global perspectives, transformative ideas

Daily plenaries bring you big-picture insights from world-leading kidney care experts.

WCN’26 opens with Professor Kazutoshi Mori on protein quality control and the endoplasmic reticulum. Find out more about the speakers and their plenary sessions.

Game-changing trials shaping the future of nephrology

Stay close to the research that could shape tomorrow’s practice. High-impact trials (HIT) and late-breaking clinical trials (LBCT) will feature pivotal findings with the potential to influence patient care, clinical decision-making, and future research.

In-depth learning through WCN courses

Deepen your knowledge through focused WCN courses led by global experts on April 1. These sessions are designed to combine practical learning, expert guidance, and interactive exchange to support your work in kidney care.

Collaborative and joint sessions

WCN’27 will feature collaborative and joint sessions with partnering societies and organizations, creating space for cross-disciplinary learning and diverse regional and global perspectives.

Opportunities to connect and be inspired

Beyond the lecture halls, you’ll find interactive sessions, poster presentations, and networking opportunities that encourage collaboration, spark new ideas, and strengthen the global kidney care community.

Provisional program lineup

We’re putting together a congress program that you won’t forget! Here’s a first-look at our provisional lineup. The sessions and timings listed below may be subject to change.

Thursday, April 1 Friday, April 2 Saturday, April 3 Sunday, April 4
Morning

WCN courses:

  • Onco-nephrology
  • Clinical trials
  • Interventional nephrology
  • Conservative kidney management
  • Annual review of nephrology
  • Renal pathology
  • Allied health professionals
  • Glomerular diseases

Sessions:

  • Sharing Expertise to Support the Set-up of Renal Registries (SharE-RR)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu)
  • Global Kidney Policy Forum

Industry symposia

Theme sessions:

  • Better Kidney Health for All
  • Interconnected Kidney
  • Preserving Kidney Health in Kidney Disease
  • Smart Kidney

Sessions:

  • HIT! High impact clinical trials/LBCT
  • Rare kidney disease
  • Strategic partners
  • Big data

Joint/Special sessions on/with:

  • Kaplan Prize PKD

Industry symposia

Theme sessions:

  • Better Kidney Health for All
  • Interconnected Kidney
  • Smart Kidney

Joint/Special sessions on/with:

  • KDIGO
  • KI/KIR/KICR Editorial Fellows
  • Young Nephrologists

Sessions:

  • HIT! High impact clinical trials/LBCT
  • Rare kidney disease
  • Kidney resolution

Industry symposia

Theme sessions:

  • Interconnected Kidney
  • Preserving Kidney Health in Kidney Disease
  • Smart Kidney

Joint/Special sessions on/with:

  • Ethics
  • European Federation of Internal Medicine
  • International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis

Sessions:

  • HIT! High impact clinical trials/LBCT
  • Basic science

Plenary session 4

Closing ceremony
Afternoon

WCN courses (continued)

Sessions (continued):

  • Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu)
  • Global Kidney Policy Forum

Opening ceremony

Plenary session 1

Poster sessions

Welcome reception

Plenary session 2

Theme sessions:

  • Better Kidney Health for All
  • Interconnected Kidney
  • Preserving Kidney Health in Kidney Disease
  • Smart Kidney

Joint/Special sessions on/with:

  • World Kidney Day
  • Green Kidney
  • Women in Nephrology

Sessions:

  • Basic science
  • Clinical trials
  • Hypertension
  • ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas
  • Advocacy

Poster sessions

Industry symposia

Plenary session 3

Theme sessions:

  • Better Kidney Health for All
  • Interconnected Kidney
  • Preserving Kidney Health in Kidney Disease
  • Smart Kidney

Joint/Special sessions on/with:

  • The Lancet
  • Young Nephrologists
  • Malaysian Society of Nephrology
  • The Transplantation Society
  • International Pediatric Nephrology Association

Sessions:

  • HIT! High impact clinical trials/LBCT
  • Rare kidney disease
  • Health in pregnancy

Poster sessions

Industry symposia