UAE: His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, officially inaugurated the third edition of the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step toward strengthening global health security and promoting local pharmaceutical production. The event, which runs through April 9, 2025, 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 forum, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the support of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), brings together heads of state, senior government officials, international organizations, private sector leaders, financial institutions, and healthcare experts. The gathering provides a platform for discussing strategies to enhance local production capabilities and ensure equitable access to essential healthcare products worldwide.
In his opening remarks, Minister Al Owais emphasized the forum’s role in accelerating progress on equitable access to medicines, vaccines, and health technologies. “The UAE is committed to advancing local manufacturing capabilities and ensuring that the healthcare sector integrates the latest technologies to drive innovation and sustainable development,” he stated.
He also highlighted the UAE’s role as a trusted hub for pharmaceutical innovation, with continued investments in research ecosystems and smart manufacturing systems aimed at expanding local production capabilities and maintaining high international quality standards.
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Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of EDE, also addressed the forum, stressing that strengthening local pharmaceutical production is key to enhancing global health security and equitable medical care. “As a global hub for trade and investment, the UAE is dedicated to fostering a dynamic pharmaceutical industry focused on sustainability and innovation,” he said.
The forum’s opening featured keynote addresses from prominent leaders, including Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO. Dr. Al Kaabi highlighted the significant growth of the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector, which is projected to reach USD 8 billion by 2030. She also emphasized EDE’s commitment to integrating AI in drug discovery, promoting sustainable manufacturing practices, and positioning the UAE as a leading destination for global pharmaceutical firms.
Dr. Tedros praised the UAE for hosting the event and underscored the importance of resilient local production ecosystems to support global healthcare systems. He outlined strategies such as technology transfer, data sharing, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities.
The first day of the forum featured sessions on topics including “North-South and South-South Collaboration” and “Fostering Policy Coherence and Government Commitment,” while the second day will focus on innovation, research and development, and overcoming challenges in sustainable therapeutic production. The final day will offer practical insights into creating conducive environments for local pharmaceutical production.
As the forum progresses, it continues to serve as a vital platform for aligning global health policies, fostering international collaborations, and advancing the sustainable development of local production capabilities to ensure global health equity and security.
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