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International TWIN Congress 2025
Joint 20th Congress of the International Society of Twin Studies, and the 8th World Congress on Twin Pregnancy, due to take place from the 10th to 12th August 2025 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This prestigious event is being hosted by the Institute for Research and Development in Health and Social Care (IRD) and the Sri Lankan Twin Registry, which has a history spanning over 25 years of global health collaborative research, including advancing twin research. We are supported by a dedicated organizing committee that includes members from King’s College, London and the ISTS Board to ensure the success of this event.
Joint 20th Congress of the International Society of Twin Studies, and the 8th World Congress on Twin Pregnancy, due to take place from the 10th to 12th August 2025 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This prestigious event is being hosted by the Institute for Research and Development in Health and Social Care (IRD) and the Sri Lankan Twin Registry, which has a history spanning over 25 years of global health collaborative research, including advancing twin research. We are supported by a dedicated organizing committee that includes members from King’s College, London and the ISTS Board to ensure the success of this event.
The International Society of Twin Studies (ISTS) is a global scientific organization dedicated to advancing research and knowledge about twins and multiple births. Founded to promote collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and educators, ISTS supports studies on twin genetics, behavior, development, health, and social issues. The society organizes international congresses, publishes research findings, and fosters communication between professionals and the public. By encouraging interdisciplinary exchange, ISTS contributes valuable insights into human biology and development through the unique lens of twin studies. Its work has significant implications for genetics, psychology, medicine, and social sciences worldwide
The World Congress on Twin Pregnancy is a prominent international scientific event focused on all aspects of twin and multiple pregnancies. This congress brings together leading obstetricians, gynecologists, neonatologists, geneticists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share the latest advancements, research findings, and best practices related to twin pregnancies. Topics often include fetal medicine, maternal care, genetic counseling, complications management, and neonatal outcomes specific to multiple births. The congress provides an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and networking among experts dedicated to improving the health and well-being of mothers and their twins worldwide.
Twin Research and Human Genetics is a well-known peer-reviewed scientific journal. It is the official journal of the International Society of Twin Studies (ISTS)
This journal publishes original research, reviews, and reports focusing on studies involving twins and multiples. Its scope includes genetics, epidemiology, behavioral science, developmental psychology, medical conditions, and social science — all explored through the unique lens that twin research offers. The journal is valued for its contributions to understanding the genetic and environmental influences on human traits and diseases.
It serves as an important platform for researchers, clinicians, and policy makers interested in human genetics, twin studies, and related fields.
This journal publishes original research, reviews, and reports focusing on studies involving twins and multiples. Its scope includes genetics, epidemiology, behavioral science, developmental psychology, medical conditions, and social science — all explored through the unique lens that twin research offers. The journal is valued for its contributions to understanding the genetic and environmental influences on human traits and diseases.
It serves as an important platform for researchers, clinicians, and policy makers interested in human genetics, twin studies, and related fields.
The Sri Lankan Twin Registry (SLTR), which will feature prominently during the Congress, was established 25 years ago as a collaboration between the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College, London and the IRD in Sri Lanka. Under the co-founding leadership of myself and Professor Matthew Hotopf, CBE, the current Executive Dean at IoPPN, the Sri Lankan Twin Registry has successfully completed three waves of twin research via the groundbreaking Colombo Twin and Singleton Study (CoTaSS), focusing on common mental disorders, metabolic syndrome, and nutrition, and has secured competitive funding from prestigious organizations such as the Wellcome Trust (over 18 grants for research, ethics and community engagement and involvement) and the Medical Research Council, UK (four grants).
The SLTR is the first and largest functional twin registry in South Asia and in LMIC settings. It has become an invaluable resource for global research, comprising two main cohorts: a) A population-based twin register with 9,570 twin pairs and 46 triplets (19,278 individuals) and b) A volunteer cohort with 7,000 twin pairs and 86 triplets (14,258 individuals).
The SLTR is the first and largest functional twin registry in South Asia and in LMIC settings. It has become an invaluable resource for global research, comprising two main cohorts: a) A population-based twin register with 9,570 twin pairs and 46 triplets (19,278 individuals) and b) A volunteer cohort with 7,000 twin pairs and 86 triplets (14,258 individuals).
The Institute for Research and Development in Health and Social Care (IRD) is a Sri Lankan non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research, training, and evidence-based practice in health and social care. The IRD conducts multidisciplinary studies addressing public health challenges, social wellbeing, and policy development. It aims to build local research capacity, support young scientists, and foster collaborations with national and international partners. Notably, the IRD is recognized for initiatives like the Sri Lankan Twin Registry, contributing valuable data for global genetics and epidemiology research. Its work helps shape informed policies and improve community health and social care services in Sri Lanka.
A Golden Opportunity for Sri Lanka’s Scientific Sector
Building confidence in Sri Lanka’s scientific capabilities and opening up opportunities to develop local scientific knowledge, an international conference of this nature held in Sri Lanka demonstrates the trust placed in the skills of Sri Lankan scientists and medical professionals at a global level. In particular, the contribution of the local hospital system, medical faculties, research institutes, and medical scientists is noteworthy. This can be seen as an opportunity that brings international recognition to the country’s existing scientific efficiency.
At such a conference, renowned medical scientists and researchers from around the world visit Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan medical professionals, students, and researchers gain the opportunity to learn about the latest research, new technologies, treatment methods, and emerging health trends from these experts. This serves as a foundational platform for the development of the local medical field.
At such a conference, renowned medical scientists and researchers from around the world visit Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan medical professionals, students, and researchers gain the opportunity to learn about the latest research, new technologies, treatment methods, and emerging health trends from these experts. This serves as a foundational platform for the development of the local medical field.
Building Research Capacity and Global Collaboration
Hosting such a conference in Sri Lanka provides Sri Lankan scientists with the chance to establish direct connections with international medical scientists. This paves the way for future participation in global research projects. It also encourages the expansion of local research funding programs and the ability to secure international projects and funding.
Hosting such a conference in Sri Lanka provides Sri Lankan scientists with the chance to establish direct connections with international medical scientists. This paves the way for future participation in global research projects. It also encourages the expansion of local research funding programs and the ability to secure international projects and funding.
Boosting Tourism and Contributing to National Economic Development
A conference of this nature attracts a large number of scientists, doctors, and related professionals from around the world. This provides a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. These visitors experience Sri Lanka’s attractions, culture, cuisine, and hospitality, increasing the likelihood that they will return as tourists. This can help increase tourism revenue and strengthen local economies.
A conference of this nature attracts a large number of scientists, doctors, and related professionals from around the world. This provides a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. These visitors experience Sri Lanka’s attractions, culture, cuisine, and hospitality, increasing the likelihood that they will return as tourists. This can help increase tourism revenue and strengthen local economies.
Positioning Sri Lanka as a Hub for Scientific Conferences
Successfully organizing such an event can position Sri Lanka as a desirable location for future international conferences and summits. This can transform Sri Lanka into an attractive destination for global scientific communication projects.
Successfully organizing such an event can position Sri Lanka as a desirable location for future international conferences and summits. This can transform Sri Lanka into an attractive destination for global scientific communication projects.
Raising Public Awareness
Such a conference can also play a role in raising awareness and understanding about issues like neonatal care within Sri Lanka. It provides an opportunity to disseminate accurate health information about childbirth, associated risks, and other important facts to the wider public.
Such a conference can also play a role in raising awareness and understanding about issues like neonatal care within Sri Lanka. It provides an opportunity to disseminate accurate health information about childbirth, associated risks, and other important facts to the wider public.