Global Health Leaders Converge In Abu Dhabi For IUHPE 2025 Conference On Planetary Health

Abu Dhabi is hosting the 25th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion, drawing over 2,000 health professionals from more than 100 countries. This event, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from May 13 to 16, 2025, marks the first time it takes place in the Middle East. The conference aims to position Abu Dhabi as a leader in global health promotion.

The conference's theme, "Settings for Planetary Health and Well-being," is timely given current global challenges like climate change and health inequities. Co-hosted by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), with support from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, it seeks to transform how health is perceived and managed worldwide.

Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADPHC, highlighted Abu Dhabi's commitment to health as a universal right. He stated, "At a time when the world faces converging challenges—from climate change and chronic disease to misinformation and inequality—our commitment has never been clearer." He emphasised initiatives like the Population Health Framework that aim to shape future healthcare.

The scientific programme includes over 300 sessions covering topics such as planetary health, mental health, and digital futures. These discussions underscore the link between public health and environmental sustainability. The conference also explores cross-sectoral policy-making to address these interconnected issues effectively.

Sione Tu’itahi, President of IUHPE, remarked on the significance of hosting this event in Abu Dhabi. "Health promotion is more than policy—it’s a promise we make to future generations," he said. The city exemplifies visionary leadership and inclusive development, making it an ideal venue for discussing equitable approaches to public well-being.

The event serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among global leaders. It features interactive workshops and site visits showcasing community health models in action. A dedicated youth track empowers future public health leaders while working groups focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and digital transformation.

Innovative Public Health Strategies

Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre presents a forward-thinking model for public health at IUHPE 2025. This model focuses on prediction, prevention, and early action rather than reactive care. Under its Predict pillar, genomics and AI are used to anticipate risks before they become illnesses.

The Prevent pillar involves accessible screening programs identifying risks at scale. Over 195,000 citizens have joined IFHAS, the national screening programme. In schools, more than 322,000 students participated in annual screenings in 2024 alone.

Community-Level Action

The Act pillar ensures swift responses at the community level to reduce harm and extend healthy years of life. In 2024 alone, over 300,000 residents received flu vaccines while 89,000 were immunized against measles. Efforts against vector-borne diseases included deploying over 130,000 mosquito traps across various sites.

The opening ceremony featured notable attendees like Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili from the Department of Community Development. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus delivered a pre-recorded address alongside remarks by Dr. Ruediger Krech from WHO.

Exhibition Highlights

An exhibition runs alongside the conference featuring leading pharmaceutical companies and key stakeholders in the health sector. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and ADPHC showcase their flagship public health programmes through dedicated booths.

This comprehensive approach reflects a shift towards data-driven public health systems centred around people’s needs. By addressing current challenges head-on with innovative strategies like Predict-Prevent-Act pillars; Abu Dhabi sets new standards globally for future healthcare systems.

With inputs from WAM