Abu Dhabi: Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global health landscape, Abu Dhabi today welcomed more than 2,000 public health professionals, policymakers, academics, and advocates from over 100 countries for the opening of the 25th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event is taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 13 to 16, 2025. It marks the first time this prestigious international gathering is being held in the Middle East, positioning Abu Dhabi as a leader in global health promotion. Co-hosted by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and supported by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, this year’s conference revolves around the theme ‘Settings for Planetary Health and Well-being’.
The four-day event comes at a critical moment in time, as the world grapples with the triple challenges of climate change, rising chronic disease, and widening health inequities. By reimagining the very environments-or ‘settings’-in which people live, work, and learn, the conference seeks to catalyze a global transformation in how health is understood, governed, and promoted.
The scientific programme of IUHPE 2025 features over 300 sessions, workshops, and parallel presentations. Topics range from planetary health and climate resilience, to mental health and digital health futures, to health-promoting environments in schools, workplaces and cities. Central to these conversations is the understanding that public health is intricately linked to environmental sustainability, social equity, and cross-sectoral policy-making.
In his opening address, Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of ADPHC, emphasized Abu Dhabi’s vision for health as a universal human right and shared responsibility. He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s commitment to leading a transformation-from treatment to prevention, from reactive systems to predictive models, and from siloed care to holistic, community-driven well-being.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, and senior delegates and health leaders from around the globe. The ceremony also featured a pre-recorded address by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus and remarks by Dr. Ruediger Krech, WHO Director for Health Promotion, alongside IUHPE leadership and representatives from partner organizations.
‘Health promotion is more than policy-it’s a promise we make to future generations,’ said Sione Tu’itahi, President of IUHPE. ‘Hosting this conference in Abu Dhabi, a city that exemplifies visionary leadership and inclusive development, is both timely and meaningful as the world seeks more equitable, sustainable approaches to public well-being.’
Beyond its scientific agenda, IUHPE 2025 is a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and cross-cultural exchange. A dedicated youth track gives voice to the next generation of public health leaders, while global working groups convene on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equity, and digital transformation. Interactive workshops and site visits throughout Abu Dhabi will offer participants real-world examples of community health models in action.
At IUHPE 2025, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre is showcasing a future-focused model for public health-one that moves from reactive care to a system built on prediction, prevention, and early action. Under the pillar of Predict, Abu Dhabi is leveraging genomics, data, and AI to anticipate risks before they become illness. Through its Personalised Precision Medicine program, family members of cancer patients with inherited mutations were proactively tested. The Emirate is also strengthening system preparedness through the Unified Medical Operations Command Centre (UMOC), an AI-powered platform that detects outbreaks early.
The second pillar, Prevent, focuses on screening programs that identify risks at scale. More than 195,000 citizens have enrolled in IFHAS, the national screening programme. Meanwhile, over 322,000 students participated in school screening programs.
When it comes to Act, Abu Dhabi is ensuring swift, community-level responses to reduce harm. In 2024, over 300,000 residents received flu vaccines and 89,000 were immunized against measles. The emirate also intensified its fight against vector-borne diseases, deploying mosquito traps and inspecting sites.
Together, these three pillars-Predict, Prevent, Act-reflect a shift toward data-driven, people-centered public health. Abu Dhabi is not only addressing today’s challenges but setting a new global standard for future health systems.
Alongside the conference, an exhibition featured the participation of pharmaceutical companies and health sector stakeholders. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre hosted booths showcasing their public health programmes.