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DEVELOPMENT

Access to this page is restricted to Development Coordinators.

If you have been granted access but cannot log in, please contact the WBF.

About the Congress

The Congress is the supreme authority of the World Bridge Federation. It is the body in which all member National Bridge Organisations are represented, and through which the Federation is governed.

WBF Statutes · Article 20

2 yr

Ordinary Congress cycle

8

Zonal Conferences

What the Congress is.

Under the WBF Statutes, the Congress is composed of the authorised delegates of the members. Each member in good standing is entitled to be represented by one delegate, and each member is entitled to one vote.

The President chairs the Congress but does not have voting rights. Members of the Executive Council, candidates for election, the Presidents Emeritus, the Honour Committee members, the General Counsel, the Chairmen of the WBF Committees and the Presidents of the Zonal Conferences are entitled to attend, but without voting rights.

Per the By-Laws, an ordinary Congress is held every two years in even-numbered years.

WBF Statutes art. 21 · WBF By-Laws art. 22

Given the importance of the matter to be discussed, I rely on the presence of the representatives of all the NBOs.

Franck Riehm WBF President · Letter of Convocation · 22 April 2026

Functions & Powers

What the Congress decides.

WBF Statutes · Article 23
  1. a. Amend the Statutes Subject to a two-thirds majority of the members present.
  2. b. Hear and approve the President's Report
  3. c. Examine the balance sheet and accounts For the two years following the last ordinary Congress, including the auditors' report.
  4. d. Define membership dues every four years Or delegate this competence to the Executive Council.
  5. e. Ratify admission and removal of members As decided by the Executive Council.
  6. f. Carry out elections every four years In accordance with the WBF Statutes.
  7. g. Bestow the title of President Emeritus
  8. h. Afford the status of Associated Member Subject to a two-thirds majority of the members present.

Agenda

Order of business

Katowice · 21 August 2026 · 9:00 a.m.

  1. i. Roll call to determine quorum
  2. ii. Approval of minutes of the 2024 Congress meeting
  3. iii. Appointment of the Scrutinising Committee
  4. iv. Report of the President
    • Discussion and approval of the President's Report
  5. v. Report of the Treasurer (including auditor's report)
    • Discussion and approval of the Treasurer's Report
  6. vi. Election of 3 Members of the WBF Executive Council
    • Legislature 2026 / 2030
  7. vii. Ratification of admission and removal of affiliated members decided by the Executive Council
  8. viii. Unfinished business
  9. ix. New business
  10. x. Adjournment

How decisions are taken

Voting, quorum & proxies.

01 / Votes

One NBO, one vote.

Each NBO in good standing is entitled to one vote. Only delegates and duly appointed proxies present at the Congress may cast votes.

Elections take place by secret ballot. Other matters are voted by show of hands, unless a secret ballot is requested by a majority of the members present.

Statutes art. 25

02 / Quorum

One third, or half plus one.

For a vote to be validly carried out, duly accredited delegates from at least one third of the NBOs in good standing must be present.

For the election of members to the Executive Council the quorum is raised to one half of the members plus one.

Statutes art. 24

03 / Proxies

At most one proxy per delegate.

If an NBO cannot be represented by its own delegate, it may give a proxy to another accredited delegate using the official WBF Proxy Form, accredited by the Honorary Secretary.

No delegate may hold more than one proxy, nor cast more than two votes, including their own.

By-Laws art. 26

Confirm your attendance

Each NBO is asked to confirm the participation of its delegate through the dedicated online form. To facilitate the preparations, the WBF Presidency kindly asks delegates to register in advance.

Confirmation of Attendance