The European Respiratory Society (ERS) Presidential Summit 2026 focused on the priority topic of early detection. This event highlighted current successes in the field of detecting respiratory diseases. The summit also addressed the current challenges faced by the diagnostics of lung diseases. Participants discussed the potential for future developments in this medical field. The main goal was to draw attention to the importance of early detection of respiratory system diseases. Information about this summit was published directly by the European Respiratory Society (ERS).