The AO Trustees Meeting 2026: Governance, dialogue, and direction

The AO welcomed its Trustees, leadership, and invited contributors from across its global network to Davos, Switzerland, for the AO Trustees Meeting 2026, held June 25–27. 

Set against the backdrop of record summer heat in Davos, the meeting brought together the global AO community for several days of governance, exchange, and forward-looking discussion. 

At the heart of the meeting is the Assembly of Trustees—often referred to as the AO’s “parliament.” As the AO’s central governance body, it plays a key role in guiding the organization. 

Setting the stage in Davos

The meeting opened with a welcome reception on June 25, offering an opportunity for Trustees, AO leadership, and contributors to reconnect ahead of the formal sessions. 

Proceedings began on June 26 with a presidential welcome by AO President Mark D Markel, including a welcome to newly appointed Trustees and reflections on the AO’s current priorities and direction. 

Day one: Global updates and governance

The official program began on the morning of June 26, with updates across the AO’s core areas—providing Trustees with a structured overview of current activities and priorities across the AO. 

Updates highlighted progress across research and innovation, including work led by the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) and the AO Innovation Translation Center (AO ITC). This included developments such as the AO Fracture Monitor, alongside advances in biomaterials, infection prevention, and digitally supported training and innovation tools—reflecting the AO’s focus on translating research into practical solutions for clinical care across the AO’s value chain. 

Presentations from the AO Education Institute and AO Education Events outlined the continued evolution of the AO’s global education portfolio, including large-scale course delivery, faculty engagement, and formats such as the AO Davos Courses and the AO’s regional courses, which bring together international faculty and participants each year. 

Updates also highlighted the continued development of the AO Campus, supporting the AO’s long-term vision for education, collaboration, and innovation in Davos. 

New digital initiatives were introduced, reflecting the AO’s efforts to build structured, validated knowledge and responsibly integrate AI into the organization’s educational and clinical ecosystem. 

Community-focused discussions highlighted the growth of myAO as a global digital platform—accompanied by a live demonstration—as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen AO membership and engagement across its global network. 

Together, these sessions highlighted how the AO connects research, education, and community to support its mission. 

A highlight of the day was the interactive lunchtime AO exhibition session on June 26, where teams from across the AO showcased ongoing initiatives and projects. The informal setting allowed Trustees to engage directly with colleagues, explore initiatives in more detail, and exchange perspectives— adding a more direct and interactive dimension to the program.

AO President Mark Markel presenting to the Trustees at the Davos Congress Centre
AO Trustees Meeting 2026
AO Trustees Meeting 2026
AO Head of Operations Sanna Virtanen-Frey presenting the AO Campus to Trustees
AO Trustees Meeting 2026
AO President Mark Markel watches as AO President-Elect Jeffrey Wang participates in a Synthes demonstration at the AO exhibition session on June 27
Demonstration at the AO exhibition session

General Assembly 

The General Assembly followed as the central governance moment of the day, where Trustees formally exercise their responsibilities. 

Chaired by Markel, the Assembly included:

  • leadership updates from across the AO, including the AO President (Markel) and AO CEO and AO Foundation Board Vice-Chair Claas Albers 
  • review and decisions related to bylaws, voting procedures, and elections 
  • presentation of the financial report by AO CFO/COO Irene Eigenmann Timmings

These processes ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment across the AO. 

Key topics also included AO Access, reinforcing the organization’s focus on diversity, inclusion, and global representation in governance.
AO CEO and AO Foundation Board Vice-Chair Claas Albers in conversation with Worldwide President of DePuy Synthes Namal Nawana and AO President Mark Markel at the AO Trustees Meeting 2026

Day two: Partnerships and the future 

The second day of the business meeting, June 27, focused on partnerships, global impact, future priorities, and a lively question and answer session between Trustees and on-stage presenters. 

Sessions included updates from the AO’s partner DePuy Synthes with a keynote presentation from Namal Nawana, Worldwide President of DePuy Synthes, who reflected on the long-standing collaboration with the AO and its role in advancing education and innovation in musculoskeletal care.  

An update from the AO Alliance highlighted ongoing efforts to improve trauma care in low-resource settings through education, system strengthening, and outcome-driven initiatives. 

The importance of the AO’s future was central to the meeting’s second day, with an engaging AO NextGen panel, featuring representatives from across specialties and regions. The discussion explored career development, mentorship, and the evolving expectations of the next generation—emphasizing collaboration, global exchange, and continuous learning as key to the AO’s future. 

Looking ahead 

The meeting concluded with a recap of key priorities for the coming year and a preview of the AO Trustees Meeting 2027 in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

As the AO continues to evolve, the Trustees Meeting remains a central forum to  strengthen alignment across our global organization and ensure that we remain grounded in our efforts to improve patient care worldwide.
AO President Mark Markel with AO NextGen panelists

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