It is our great pleasure to announce you the 16th International Work-Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, which will take place in Madeira (Portugal) in June, 16th-18th, 2021.

The specific circumstances we are living now and in the near future require us to be very cautious in making decisions especially in organizing events involving numerous people.

Under these uncertain circumstances, the safety, security, respect, and well-being of our participants in the next edition of IWANN 2021 will be on top of the agenda. The conference will be adapted to fulfil the regulations imposed by the competent authorities. We will try to maintain the spirit of work and collaboration that has always distinguished the past editions of IWANN.

First of all, we have chosen as location one of the places in the world with less incidence of the COVID-19, the island of Madeira (Portugal). The venue of the congress will be in the Hotel Vida Mar with many open spaces and large meeting rooms.

Secondly, changes have been introduced in the timing of the congress to facilitate maximum participation, such as the possibility of reviewing the content of the papers presented a few days after the congress to incorporate improvements arising from the presentation discussions.

Finally, for those researchers who cannot travel, virtual sessions with direct connection will be programmed to facilitate the debate.

We hope that the changes introduced will be well received and that we will be able to collaborate closely to make this 2021 edition a success.

Andreu Català, Gonzalo Joya, Ignacio Rojas
Co-Chairmen IWANN 2021