Abu Dhabi Hosts the Sixth WHO Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting

ABU DHABI/ GULF TIME

With over 1,300 participants from across 140 countries, Abu Dhabi began on Tuesday the sixth World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Global Meeting, marking the largest edition yet and first to be held in the Middle East, held until November 7, 2024, at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers hotel. Organised by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, in partnership with WHO and with the support of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the event cements Abu Dhabi’s position as a key player in global emergency medical preparedness and response.
In the presence of HE Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of (DoH), HE Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre – Abu Dhabi, Dr Saleh Fares Al Ali, President of International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM), and Dr Abdul Karim Al Zarouni, Director of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre at Ministry of Health and Prevention, the opening ceremony witnessed welcome remarks delivered by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the UN WHO and HE Dr Ahmed Abdulhadi AlKhazraji, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center.
In his virtual welcoming remarks, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the UN World Health Organization, stated: “EMTs are a vital pillar of the global health emergency corps, and have played a pivotal role in the development of sustainable, high-quality and interoperable surge capacities. In a world with complex emergencies and vulnerable communities at risk, the needs for EMTs is only growing. This conference is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences with colleagues from across the world, as we come together to advance the World Health Organization’s EMT 2030 Strategy for building stronger emergency response capacities, both nationally and globally.”
The EMT global meeting gathers prominent global and regional healthcare leaders for in-depth strategic discussions, including the flagship panel “Climate Change and Health Emergency” moderated by Professor Johanna Hanefeld, the incoming Chair of the EMT Strategic Advisory  Group with panellists including  Dr Micheal J. Ryan WHO Deputy Director General & Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Rick Brennan, WHO Regional Emergency Director of the Eastern Mediterranean,  Dr Teodor Herbosa, Secretary of Health for the Philippines, Dr Santino Severoni, WHO Director of Migration and Health, Lucie Berger, European Union Ambassador to UAE, Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, Undersecretary General, International Federation of Red Cross, Dr Wessam Mankoula, Regional Director, North Africa RRC/Acting Head, Emergency Preparedness and Response Division and Dr Amal Mubarak Madhi, Director of the Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Department at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC).
HE Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said: “Today, we gather in the face of a world that has witnessed extraordinary crises. From pandemics to natural disasters, famines and conflicts. These events remind us of the profound interconnectedness of humanity. In one way or another, the suffering and challenges faced by one community affect us all. Hosting this edition of the Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting in Abu Dhabi is a testament to our shared commitment to cooperate, learn from each other and strengthen our collective ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises. Abu Dhabi’s journey in healthcare has been one of continuous evolution. Beginning in 1960 with the opening of our first hospital. From those early days, our commitment to healthcare has only deepened, transforming a humble system into one of the most advanced, intelligent healthcare landscapes in the world. Driven by the ongoing support of the UAE’s wise leadership, our focus has always been twofold: providing care that meets today’s needs and anticipating the challenges of tomorrow. We thank the World Health Organization for choosing Abu Dhabi as the host city – it’s a choice that resonates deeply with us, and we are immensely proud to offer our city as a home for such an important platform.”
During the three-day event, the Global Meeting will explore the EMT 2030 Strategy which aims to strengthen global and regional capacity to respond to health emergencies. National and global leaders in emergency management, disaster medicine, and humanitarian aid, join the event to showcase the latest advancements in crisis response, resilience, and healthcare technology.
HE Dr Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, said: “Hosting this event is undoubtedly a significant step forward in the UAE’s journey towards establishing a resilient, integrated government system capable of efficiently addressing health challenges. It is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to improving national preparedness, adopting proactive preventive measures for health emergencies, and ensuring the sustainability of vital resources.  This reflects the proactive approach of our government to decision-making and adaptability to global developments.” He noted that the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) will continue to collaborate closely with health sector partners to enhance the UAE’s capabilities in health emergency response, ensuring strong institutional coordination across government sectors, thereby maintaining leadership in health emergency management.
Throughout the years, the EMT Global Meetings have been hosted across five countries, creating a growing global network whilst increasing reach and impact. Significantly, this will be the first EMT Global Meeting to be held in the region (the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region). The last Global Meeting in Yerevan in 2023 marked the launch of the landmark EMT 2030 Strategy.
During the event, over 26 exhibitors including the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA), TASNEEF, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Emergencies, Crisis and Disasters Management Centre – Abu Dhabi (ADCMC) and Ministry of Defence (MOD), as well as EMT Solutions, Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation(AECID), Aspen, Humanity First and  more will present their latest technologies, innovations and best practices in emergency medicine, management and response.