Abu Dhabi DoH launches Future Health, a year-round global platform

Abu Dhabi's Department of Health has unveiled "Future Health - A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi," a bold evolution of its Global Health Week into a living, year-round platform for global health collaboration. Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the initiative aims to transform the emirate into a continuous hub of ideas, research, and innovation. It's less of an event — and more of a movement.

As H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori puts it, "Future Health is a global invitation to collaborate year-round in shaping a healthier future for all."

How will it work?

Instead of waiting for annual conferences, Future Health maintains momentum throughout the year.

It brings together global experts — from policymakers to tech pioneers — to co-create solutions and scale them. Key features include:

• Collaborative programs that pilot and scale solutions addressing real-world health challenges
• Research initiatives that explore critical needs in health and medicine
• Global dialogues and summits that connect leaders from every corner of the ecosystem
• Impact reports and foresight studies that chart progress and priorities

Anchored in Abu Dhabi's growing reputation for healthcare innovation and artificial intelligence, Future Health revolves around four main themes:

1. Longevity and Precision Health
2. Health System Resilience and Sustainability
3. Digital Health and AI
4. Investment in Life Sciences

The annual Future Health Summit — set for April 7-9, 2026 — will be the flagship event within this ever-expanding network, hosted at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

Why does it matter?

Because health challenges today don't respect borders or calendars. Future Health is built to match that pace, pushing collaboration beyond conferences into a 24/7, cross-sector ecosystem. It's about turning promises into practice. "It transforms commitment into action by connecting the brightest minds and strongest partners," said Al Mansoori.

This isn't just about healthcare — it's about human longevity. The initiative plans to advance scientific projects in genomics and precision diagnostics, aiming to add quality years to life, not just more years. H.E. Dr Noura Al Ghaithi summed it up well: "With advancements in genomics, AI, life sciences and precision medicine, we are shaping a model of health that is inclusive, innovative and sustainable."

The context

Abu Dhabi's health ambitions didn't appear overnight. The emirate has long positioned itself as a nexus for global health progress. Past milestones include:

• Hosting over 500 speakers from nearly 100 countries
• Welcoming more than 25,000 participants
• Launching the world's first Declaration on Longevity and Precision Medicine
• Establishing one of only four global vaccine distribution hubs, improving equitable access
• Signing 50+ agreements in clinical research, vaccine development, and digital health innovation

The initiative's founding partners — M42, Mubadala Bio, PureHealth, and the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD) — alongside strategic and thematic partners like Mediclinic and Burjeel Holdings, will form the backbone of this new ecosystem.

Together, they're shaping a future where Abu Dhabi isn't just part of the global health conversation — it's hosting it.