As a senior leader in the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention, I have seen firsthand how strategic initiatives in Dubai and the wider country have driven meaningful progress within the healthcare sector. With its focus on innovation and knowledge exchange, Dubai has become a global hub for advancing healthcare and public health expertise. The city welcomes the brightest minds from all over the world, and best practices that support our vision for a more connected, advanced healthcare landscape, in essence establishing a pipeline between association and innovation, to create lasting industry-changing impact.
The healthcare sector is a field in constant flux, seeing advancements and evolution driven by global experts and efforts. As an industry driven by knowledge and measured by development, it is crucial to rely on infrastructure that can facilitate information and knowledge exchange. With its own growing stature as a knowledge hub, Dubai has experienced exponential growth as a global host city for conferences and congresses, providing global experts with a destination ideal for the advancement of industry.
Dubai’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, diversity, and technology continues to shape its evolution into a global hub for transformative progress, particularly in healthcare. Realizing this goal are initiatives such as the Dubai Health Strategy 2026, which lays out a master strategy to create a world-class, patient-centered healthcare system, the creation of the Dubai Academic Health Corporation, with the aim of unifying care, learning, and discovery, and the city’s investment in digital health solutions and telemedicine services, which have been fundamental in driving efficiency and access in the provision of healthcare. They comply not only with the broader vision of the country but also bring a fertile context for global partnership, research, and medical advancements.
This vision, under the visionary leadership of the UAE, aligns with both achieving the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, a strategy undertaken to double the economy of Dubai in the coming decade and place it among the world’s top three cities. D33 is centered on increasing foreign trade, drawing strategic investments, cultivating talent, and driving innovation and digital transformation. With this blueprint, Dubai is set to establish a more diversified, sustainable, and knowledge-based economy and by doing so, further solidify its global standing as the world’s best hosting hub, where all industries, in both the private and public sectors, can flourish, connect, grow, and share.
With the ambition set, the resources available, and the expertise present, one major catalyst has further enabled the growth of industry: connection. The Al Safeer Ambassador Programme connects the expertise of Dubai’s brightest minds to secure world-class global conferences and congresses. This initiative, driven by Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, enhances the city’s reputation as a go-to business hub for international conferences and provides a platform for experts to come together and share knowledge in a city powered by innovation.
As an Al Safeer ambassador, I have seen firsthand how this initiative brings together Dubai’s best and brightest to secure major business events for the city and drive global progress. From forensic science to technology, the program unites thought leaders who are actively shaping global conversations. It’s a collective effort that underscores Dubai’s ambition to be a world leader in business events, driving innovation and collaboration on a global scale.
In the name of impact for the healthcare sector and in my role, I am proud and privileged to champion Dubai’s innumerable positives so as to actively attract international congresses to the city. The power of collaboration in an inspiration-fuelled environment, enabling greater paths to success, is the crux of the ambassadorial role of the Al Safeer Programme. With over 12 years of an established success record and an ambassador network of 330 strong, we leverage our professional networks, affiliations, and expertise to advocate for the city, positioning it as a capable and strategic partner for large-scale global events.
I have witnessed the remarkable role international associations play in fostering knowledge sharing, advancing professional standards, and driving positive societal change. Each of these are a vital pillar supporting Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in business events and innovation.
We saw this collaborative ecosystem in action when Dubai hosted the 2023 IFOS World Congress, a pivotal event in my own field of ENT and Otorhinolaryngology. With over 7,500 delegates, 2,800 abstract submissions, and 45 parallel sessions, supported by over 90 industry partners, the Congress demonstrated the city’s ability to host impactful industry initiatives on a large scale.
In my role as an Al Safeer Ambassador, I have also supported in securing other significant events, including the IFHNOS Regional Congress 2024, ARABFOS, and EROC – these gatherings further strengthened Dubai’s regional standing and attracted international interest. The collaboration with international healthcare bodies has paved the way for medical conferences that elevate the standards of care in the region.
The city’s strategic position as a natural bridge between East and West remains a powerful asset for winning more global events. Strengthening digital and hybrid capabilities, engaging local industries, and prioritising sustainable meetings will further bolster long-term success in pushing industry leaps and bounds forward for the benefit of all.
The Al Safeer Programme puts industry in the global spotlight and presents an opportunity to showcase Dubai’s potential, drive professional growth, and contribute to the city’s evolution while allowing my peers and I to collaboratively advance our own sectors. As Dubai continues to grow, international associations will play a pivotal role in shaping its future.