His Highness Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development Affairs and Martyrs’ Families, attended the inauguration of the “Abu Dhabi Health Future Summit 2026.” This event, organised by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, is themed “Towards Proactive Health Systems” and will run at the ADNEC Abu Dhabi until October 22, 2026. The summit brings together prominent leaders, decision-makers, researchers, experts, and investors from across the globe.
Sheikh Dhiyab emphasised the importance of continued efforts to establish a robust healthcare system that prioritises prevention, proactivity, and high flexibility. He highlighted the necessity of leveraging data, scientific research, and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to develop more efficient and effective healthcare solutions. This is aimed at enhancing the quality of services provided to members of the community in the Emirate.
He noted the significant role of the “Abu Dhabi Health Future Summit” as a global platform to foster strategic partnerships and collaboration among health, research, technology, and investment institutions. The summit aims to accelerate the translation of innovations and scientific discoveries in healthcare into practical applications and solutions, contributing to the development of the health sector both locally and globally.
During his tour of the exhibition accompanying the summit, Sheikh Dhiyab reviewed key innovations and technologies showcased by over 175 participating entities, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, genomics, precision medicine, digital health, advanced diagnostics, and life sciences. He listened to explanations regarding the role of these technologies in early detection of health risks and their support for preventive efforts, aimed at providing care tailored to the diverse needs of community members.
The opening ceremony featured an interactive presentation that embodied the summit’s theme, focusing on the role of data, science, and technology in anticipating health needs and transforming them into programmes and plans that support intervention implementation and appropriate decision-making at the individual, community, and health system levels. The ceremony also included an opening speech by His Excellency Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Head of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.
In his address, Al Mansouri stated, “Under the guidance and vision of our wise leadership, Abu Dhabi is making steady progress in developing an intelligent health system that efficiently utilises data, science, and technology to gain a precise understanding of health risks and activate early interventions to prevent and mitigate their impact, ultimately improving health outcomes through personalised care and precision medicine.” He added, “The Abu Dhabi Health Future Summit gathers partners from around the world around this shared ambition. By connecting scientific expertise, clinical capabilities, technology, and investment, we aim to expedite the translation of promising developments into practical solutions that benefit communities in Abu Dhabi and around the globe.”
The opening session of the summit, titled “Shaping the Future of Health: Towards Proactive Health Systems,” addressed the required transformations in policies, funding, and healthcare delivery to facilitate the shift from reactive care to preventive and early intervention health systems.
The summit’s programme spans three days and features a global forum and accompanying events, including keynote addresses and discussions that gather health sector leaders, along with sessions between the public and private sectors. The activities focus on four key themes: prolonged healthy living and precision medicine, the resilience and sustainability of healthcare systems, digital health and artificial intelligence, and investment in life sciences.
As the annual meeting of the “Health Future Initiative – a global initiative from Abu Dhabi,” the summit is dedicated to fostering international collaboration in health research, development, and innovation year-round. It connects scientific, clinical, and technological expertise with investment, aiding the transition of promising solutions from research to testing and application.
The initiative hinges on Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem, which integrates regulatory frameworks, clinical and research capabilities, and comprehensive health data. This includes the “Mylife” platform for health information exchange, the Emirati genome programme, and infrastructure for clinical trials, all supporting the development of preventive and personalised care and data-driven medical decision-making. The “Health, Medicine, and Fitness Facility for Sustainable Living” further enhances these efforts by connecting scientific research with investment and clinical application, fostering collaboration among academic, medical, and corporate institutions to translate scientific discoveries into applicable health treatments and technologies.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi oversees the “Health Future Initiative,” in collaboration with founding partners: M42, Mubadala Biotech, PureHealth, the Institute for Healthy Living in Abu Dhabi, alongside Mediclinic Middle East as a strategic partner and Burjeel Holding as an associate partner.