This vision set the tone for a joint reception hosted by AmCham Abu Dhabi and the U.S.–U.A.E. Business Council ahead of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, taking place from 20–22 October 2026. The summit is the annual flagship gathering of Future Health – A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi seeks to build on its partnerships to test, scale, and accelerate innovation to enhance health outcomes and improve people’s lives.” — H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
Why This Matters: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has expanded its signature week-long forum, the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, into a year-round initiative encompassing events, academic exploration, and research and development. The initiative brings experts together throughout the year to advance healthcare innovation and drug discovery.
Held on Monday, 19 October, at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the joint AmCham Abu Dhabi – U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council reception featured welcome remarks from Dr. Shannon Dolan, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and keynote remarks from H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi. The evening brought together more than 200 U.S. and U.A.E. business executives, government officials, and healthcare experts to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in healthcare and life sciences.
Ayman Mokhtar, AmCham Abu Dhabi Board Member, and Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.–U.A.E. Business Council, presided over the evening’s proceedings and introduced Dr. Dolan and H.E. Dr. Noura.
In her welcome remarks, Dr. Dolan underscored the depth and continued growth of the U.S.–U.A.E. healthcare relationship. She traced its roots to the founding of Oasis Hospital in Al Ain, now Kanad Hospital, more than six decades ago and celebrated today’s partnerships focused on advancing innovation, strengthening healthcare delivery, and improving lives.
Healthcare and Life Sciences as a Growing Pillar of the U.S.–U.A.E. Relationship
- H.E. Dr. Noura highlighted Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as a model of bilateral cooperation in healthcare and life sciences, demonstrating how an enduring partnership can translate into world-class care and improved health outcomes.
- She pointed to the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s recurring participation in the BIO International Convention in the United States as evidence of its sustained engagement with U.S. partners.
- She emphasized that the bilateral partnership continues to strengthen, noting that the reception brought together subject matter experts who can support the U.A.E.’s healthcare ambitions and Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to advance research and innovation.
Advancing Innovation, Prevention, and Longevity
- H.E. Dr. Noura described Abu Dhabi as a place where ambition, innovation, and world-class healthcare delivery come together. She emphasized the importance of translating scientific breakthroughs into tangible improvements in people’s lives and accelerating innovation to prevent illness and improve health outcomes.
- She highlighted the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s strategic partnership with Microsoft to integrate generative AI and cloud technology into healthcare through an AI-powered Population Health Intelligence platform.
- She emphasized how Abu Dhabi combines visionary leadership, research, and investment to connect innovation with healthcare delivery, improve health outcomes, build local capabilities, and strengthen economic resilience.
For more information about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s healthcare and life science programming, please contact Mr. Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.