Letter from the Editor

Dear Colleagues,



It is a pleasure to present this report from the 20th Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), held in February 2025 in Berlin, Germany. Under the theme “Sustainability in IBD and beyond,” this year’s congress brought together a global community of clinicians, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing the future of inflammatory bowel disease care, both clinically and environmentally.

The report highlights key developments across IBD science and practice, including novel insights into disease prediction, emerging treatment strategies including diet and nutrition, and long-term safety data on established therapies.

Notably, ECCO 2025 also featured powerful discussions on reducing the environmental footprint of IBD care—an increasingly urgent priority as we align innovation with responsibility. By treating patients well and more effectively, we move toward a more sustainable model of care, reducing unnecessary interventions and resource use.

Healthcare is responsible for 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In IBD care, hospitalisation, travel, and endoscopy are among the main contributors. This places a particular responsibility on the gastroenterology community. Practical adjustments, such as using ultrasound when appropriate instead of endoscopy, can significantly cut emissions. On a personal level, adopting a healthy plant-based diet and choosing low-emission transportation are ways both healthcare professionals and patients can contribute to more sustainable care. If we fail to act, our efforts to care for patients today may come at the expense of the health of future generations. It’s a paradox we can no longer ignore. This dual commitment—to clinical excellence and environmental responsibility—must guide us as we move forward.

Whether you joined us in Berlin or are reading from afar, I hope these pages inform, inspire, and encourage continued collaboration in shaping a more effective, sustainable future for IBD care.

Warm regards,

Dr Marjolijn Duijvestein

Biography

Marjolijn Duijvestein works as a gastroenterologist in the IBD team of the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. In 2012, she obtained her PhD at Leiden University and was trained as a gastroenterologist specialised in IBD disease at the Amsterdam UMC in Amsterdam. As part of her training, she gained experience at the University of California San Diego (UCSD, USA) and performed an internship at Alimentiv (former Robarts Clinical Trials), an academic research organisation dedicated to drug development for IBD. Her clinical activity and research are focused on IBD, in particular clinical and translational research.

Conflict of Interest Statement:
Has served as an advisor for Echo Pharma and Robarts Clinical Trials, reports nonfinancial support from Dr Falk Pharma, and received speaker fees from Janssen, Merck & Co., Pfizer, Takeda and Tillotts Pharma. Advisory boards Janssen, Takeda, BMS and Abbvie.



Posted on 8 April 2025