On behalf of the International Developmental Pediatrics Association (IDPA) and Wuqu’ Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance it is our pleasure to announce the Sixth International Developmental Pediatrics Association Congress, which will take place from December 1-4, 2025 in Guatemala City. This will include a commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2025.

This prestigious international event invites participants from disciplines that span all aspects of service delivery and research related to child development and developmental disabilities: developmental pediatricians, pediatrics, family medicine, public health, child mental health, disability, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, child development and education, early intervention, special education, social services, advocacy and policy. In previous years, the Congress has been held in Turkey, India, the Philippines, Lebanon (virtual), and South Africa. This is the first time the Congress will be held in Latin America, and we look forward to broad regional participation.

The theme for the 6th IDPA Congress will be Equity and Opportunities for All Children, with a special focus on Caring for Children from Indigenous and Minority Communities, given that Latin America has one of the largest Indigenous populations in the world. Recognizing the structural barriers that children with disabilities face in accessing healthcare, the conference will also foster collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples with disabilities, and disability experts. This initiative aims to empower the voices of persons with disabilities and break down barriers to equitable healthcare, ensuring that no child is left behind.

Wuqu’ Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance will serve as the local organizing partner for the Congress. Wuqu’ Kawoq is a nonprofit organization in Guatemala working to provide health services with linguistic and cultural competence to women, children and families from Indigenous and rural communities in Guatemala. IDPA is a professional society whose mission is to achieve equity in developmental pediatrics and related services for children and families around the world.

We estimate that 500-600 delegates from Guatemala, Latin American, and the global community will participate in the Congress. A special focus of all IDPA Congresses is that all work presented at the Congress must be conducted in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). This creates a unique space for important voices and perspectives not usually represented in international early childhood conferences. The Congress agenda will include preconference workshops designed to augment the skills of professionals from LMICS, a main conference providing a space for sharing and learning, and mentorship dinners that provide opportunities to early career professionals to be mentored by experts from the global south and north.

We are currently in the planning phase, and we are reaching out to like-minded organizations such as yours to solicit logistical and financial support to ensure a successful and impactful Congress. We plan to highlight the support of contributing partners in all materials associated with the Congress. We appreciate your consideration and any support you might provide. Opportunities for sponsorship and support include networking and recruiting Congress delegates and speakers from across Latin America; sponsoring the travel and lodging of invited speakers; organizing pre-conference workshops; and assisting with the venue costs for the main conference.

We are available to meet to provide more details about this Congress and related opportunities.

Warm regards,