Press release submitted on behalf of IUVA.

The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), Chevy Chase, Maryland, is proud to announce record attendance at the 2025 World Congress, held September 7–10 in Lisbon, Portugal. The event brought together more than 200 participants from over 25 countries, marking a milestone gathering for the global UV community.

The three-day Congress featured over 100 presentations from leading researchers, manufacturers and industry leaders. Discussions spanned new technologies and the latest innovations advancing ultraviolet disinfection for water, air, surfaces and food safety.

Following two full days of three-track technical sessions, attendees came together for the Gala Dinner and General Assembly. Outgoing IUVA President Ted Mao delivered his final address, which included a membership vote confirming new leadership. IUVA welcomed Ernest Blatchley III, Purdue University, as its new President and Kumiko Oguma, University of Tokyo, as President-Elect.

The evening also featured the 2025 IUVA Achievement Awards and the prestigious Jim Bolton Award for Outstanding Student Presentation, named in honor of the “grandfather” of UV disinfection research. This year’s Bolton Award winners were Karlye Wong, University of Toronto, and Ricardo Jorge Nunes Santos, CITAB – Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, recognized for their exceptional student conference presentations.

“We are thrilled with the turnout and the high level of engagement at this year’s World Congress,” said Mickey Fortune, associate executive director. “The knowledge shared and collaborations sparked in Lisbon will have a lasting impact on advancing UV technologies worldwide.”

As attendees departed Lisbon, they carried forward both new ideas and strengthened connections. The IUVA looks ahead to continuing momentum toward cleaner, safer environments through ultraviolet innovation.

For more information, visit www.iuva.org.