World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on 24 June 2020 at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva, to discuss preparations leading up to the WCC 11th Assembly, which will occur in 2022. They explored together how to strengthen relationships within the ecumenical movement, and augment the role of the Orthodox Churches.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew convened greetings and blessings to Father Ioan Sauca, who is the first Orthodox serving in this leading role. They also discussed at the meeting ways to foster the next generation of the leaders in the ecumenical movement and the role of the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey.

Present at the meeting were Metropolitans Athenagoras of Belgium and Maximos of Switzerland, and the Permanent Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the WCC Archbishop Job of Telmessos. Between 23-25 June, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was convened in Chambésy for its regular meeting of the current month.