Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, inaugurated the third edition of the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the UAE’s role as a hub for pharmaceutical innovation and health security.
Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the support of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), the three-day forum is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center under the theme: “Advancing Local Production for Health Equity, Global Health Security, and Sustainable Development.”
The event brings together heads of state, senior officials, global health leaders, and private sector stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and improving access to essential medical products worldwide.
In his keynote, Al Owais highlighted the UAE’s commitment to equitable healthcare through innovation, advanced technologies, and strategic global partnerships. He noted that hosting the WLPF underscores the UAE’s development priorities and its collaboration with WHO to foster sustainable local production.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of EDE, emphasised the UAE’s dedication to international cooperation and investment in the pharmaceutical sector, aligning trade and health policies to drive global health resilience.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, announced that the UAE’s pharmaceutical market reached $5.6 billion in 2024, projected to hit $8 billion by 2030. She stressed EDE’s focus on regulatory excellence, AI integration, and sustainable practices.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the UAE’s leadership, citing the forum as a catalyst for technology transfer, research, and policy reform to empower national healthcare systems.
With high-level panels, regional insights, and innovation-driven sessions, the WLPF 2025 sets a strategic path for inclusive, resilient, and future-ready healthcare production globally.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
