Before we give fluids, we must first ask the right question: Could this patient potentially benefit from fluid administration? Perhaps they present with hypotension, tachycardia, or oliguria—or maybe a combination of these signs. But never should we give fluids just because "filling" appears low, or because cardiac filling pressures are low, or because echocardiography shows small cardiac chambers. No, no, no, no, no. My name is Professor Jean-Louis Vincent, and I'm a Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Brussels. At this year's IFAD meeting, I delivered two lectures. The first focused on fluid management in severe respiratory failure, specifically in patients with ARDS. The second addressed the concept of fluid de-escalation—discussing when we should stop administering fluids, and in some cases, even remove excess fluid using diuretics or hemofiltration. This congress is incredibly valuable because it raises the very questions we confront at the bedside every single day: What type of fluid should we give? How much is appropriate? When should we stop? I'd like to extend my congratulations to our colleagues in Antwerp for organizing such an excellent and timely program. Everyone here is not only learning a great deal but also enjoying the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new people, and exchange ideas in a truly collaborative setting. The social program has also been a highlight, allowing for informal interaction and meaningful conversations beyond the lecture hall. This is a very important international congress, and I was pleased to hear from several attendees who said: "It's wonderful to have an entire symposium focused solely on intravenous fluids." And I couldn't agree more.

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