Abu Dhabi: Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), officially opened the third edition of the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum, organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with support from the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), is taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The event, themed “Advancing Local Production for Health Equity, Global Health Security, and Sustainable Development,” will run for three days until April 9. It gathers heads of state, senior government officials, international organization representatives, private sector leaders, financial institutions, and experts from the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries to discuss strategies for bolstering local production capabilities and improving access to essentia
l healthcare products.
In his opening remarks, Al Owais emphasized the forum’s role as a global platform to accelerate equitable access to medicines, vaccines, and health technologies, highlighting the collaboration between the Emirates Drug Establishment and WHO. He also noted the UAE’s position as a hub for innovation in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, with ongoing investments aimed at expanding local manufacturing capabilities and integrating advanced technologies.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi spoke on the importance of international partnerships and strategic investments in the pharmaceutical sector as key components of the UAE’s economic and healthcare goals. He underscored the nation’s commitment to developing a dynamic pharmaceutical industry that supports innovation and sustainability, along with resilient supply chains.
The forum’s opening program included keynote addresses and panel discussions featuring distinguished speakers such as Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, and Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products at WHO. Dr. Al Kaabi highlighted the rapid growth of the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector and its projected expansion, fueled by innovation and investment in local manufacturing. She also emphasized EDE’s commitment to upholding international standards and integrating advanced technologies in drug discovery and manufacturing.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed appreciation for the UAE’s hosting of the forum, highlighting its role in promoting health equity and facilitating the exchange of expertise among international stakeholders. He stressed the importance of building resilient local production ecosystems through technology transfer, research and development, and strong regulatory frameworks.
The forum’s agenda includes sessions on various topics such as policy coherence, regulatory excellence, human capital development, and sustainable local production. The
event aims to share practical experiences and strategies for fostering a conducive environment for local pharmaceutical production, with insights from WHO and regional offices.