Cyprus to host EU rare-disease conference June 16–17, 2026, under its Council presidency
Cyprus will convene Europe’s rare-disease community on June 16–17, 2026, when the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics hosts the “Advancement of Treatments for Rare Diseases” conference. The event, co-organised with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, will take place within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to the organisers, the conference is expected to bring together more than 40 distinguished speakers and around 250 participants from multiple countries, spanning healthcare, research, the pharmaceutical industry and patient organisations.
They said the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration and innovation in rare diseases, promote scientific research and improve patient access to modern therapies, emphasising coordinated action across sectors. The organisers added that the breadth and depth of the agenda position the meeting as a significant scientific event for professionals in research, clinical practice, policymaking and innovation management.
Expected participants include senior officials, representatives of the European Commission, experts from the European Medicines Agency, European Reference Networks and leading academics. This lineup, they said, underscores Cyprus’ role as a reliable hub for scientific dialogue and cooperation in this specialised field.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for exchanging knowledge, experience and best practices, strengthening links between research, clinical application, regulatory frameworks and health policy. It also highlights Cyprus’ growing role in Europe’s innovation landscape for rare diseases, showcasing the capabilities of both the institute and the country, the organisers noted.
Registration is mandatory for all attendees and must be completed through the official accreditation platform of the Cypriot EU Presidency. Participants must first obtain an individual access code, requested by email, indicating whether they are speakers, local participants or international attendees.
Organisers said access codes will be issued within two working days. The deadline to request an access code is May 29, 2026, and the final deadline to complete registration is June 3, 2026. Further details on procedures, the programme and participating speakers are available on the event’s official website.
The conference forms part of the broader programme of events under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union and is funded by the Horizon Europe programme, which the organisers said underlines its strategic importance for research and innovation in Europe.