This Congress is the premier global event in the field, encompassing malignancies affecting every component of the gastrointestinal tract and aspects related to the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancer, including screening, diagnosis and the latest management options for common and uncommon tumors. It has been endorsed by leading professional societies and organizations. With the focus on personalized therapy, multidisciplinary management and unraveling molecular mechanisms, the World Congress will educate and update the broad range of experts who participate in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, providing a clear overview for treatment. Over 60 expert specialists will lead the sessions and meet with participants in small targeted groups, making the scientific agenda the most comprehensive and most effective in addressing the educational needs of physicians. Thousands of participants attend each year, and their comments indicate that the update they receive is of immediate relevance to their practices. Presentation of cutting-edge research has become one of the highlights of the World Congress, offering opportunities for researchers worldwide to interact with colleagues and share their endeavors with the healthcare community. In 2011, nearly 500 abstracts were accepted for presentation and publication in a special supplement to the Annals of Oncology. We invite you to participate in this year’s meeting by submitting an abstract to be considered for presentation. The ESMO 14th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer promises to continue the tradition of excellence and stimulate the interest of its participants. We look forward to seeing you in June 2012 in Barcelona for what will be a most important and most memorable scientific meeting.