Foreword by the EBMT President

This year has been defined by strategic progress across education, research, clinical excellence, and community engagement. The establishment and rapid development of the EBMT Education Department marked a transformative step toward providing more comprehensive and high-quality educational opportunities across professional groups. From the successful EBMT Exam to an extensive series of courses, meetings, and workshops, our commitment to lifelong learning has never been stronger.

The 51st Annual Meeting of the EBMT in Florence brought together more than 6,200 participants from nearly 100 countries, reflecting the Society’s expanding global influence and showcasing the vibrant scientific and clinical exchange that defines our community.

In parallel, EBMT Registry developments and research programmes reached important milestones. Achieving ISO/IEC 27001 certification demonstrated our dedication to data security and integrity, while enhancements to the Registry infrastructure and analytical tools have improved usability and quality, empowering centres with stronger real-world evidence.

The publication of updated Practice Recommendations for HCT and CAR-T Therapy and the second edition of the EU CAR T-cell Handbook reaffirmed our leadership in harmonising clinical practice and supporting an evolving therapeutic landscape.

A major milestone for HCT and cellular therapy was the release of the FACT-JACIE 9th Edition HCT Standards and 3rd Edition IEC Standards, together with updated manuals. These standards continue to set the global benchmark for quality, patient safety, and excellence in cellular therapy.

A highlight of 2025 has been the welcoming of new members and centres, as our global footprint continues to grow and diversify—strengthening our collective expertise and reinforcing the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of EBMT (see the membership report for further details).

As EBMT evolves, we have taken important steps to strengthen the organisation for the future. The Transformation and Consolidation Project, launched in early 2025, is enhancing our resilience, improving how we operate, and reinforcing the foundations that support our mission—while keeping science at the centre of everything we do. Further progress is planned for 2026.

I encourage you to read the EBMT Annual Report for an overview of our Society’s achievements in 2025, including the work of our Working Parties, the Registry, educational activities, the Nurses Group, and more.

As my mandate draws to a close, a smooth leadership transition is underway. A structured handover is in place to ensure continuity and sustained delivery in 2026 and beyond. Enhancing career pathways, advancing scientific excellence, improving data quality, and expanding international partnerships will remain central to our work.

To all of you—members, partners, volunteers, educators, researchers, clinicians, and advocates—thank you for your dedication, vision, and unwavering commitment to our shared mission. It is through your contributions that we continue to push boundaries, improve patient care, and shape the future of transplantation and cellular therapy.

Sincerely,

Anna Sureda
EBMT President