Supported by the Emirates Drug Establishment, the third edition of the World Local Production Forum, will be organized by the World Health Organization, and hosted by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from April 7 to 9.2025.

This significant event will convene more than 4,000 ministers, senior government officials, international organization leaders, private sector representatives, financial institutions, civil society members, and industry experts to exchange insights and develop strategies.

The forum will explore sustainable local production solutions to strengthen healthcare systems and economic stability, addressing key challenges in technology transfer and access to essential health products.

under the theme "Advancing Local Production for Health Equity, Global Health Security, and Sustainable Development,” the three-day event will cover eight critical themes:

·       Theme 1 Strengthening Local Production Ecosystems: Policies, Regulatory Systems, Markets and Human Capital

·       Theme 2: Strengthening Local Production Ecosystems: Innovative Financing and Investment Strategies

·       Theme 3: Fostering Innovation, Technology Transfer and Production Along the Value Chain

·       Theme 4: Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness and Response through Scalable Manufacturing, Predictable Demand and Surge Financing

·       Theme 5: Transforming Local Manufacturing with AI, Digitalization and Climate Change

·       Theme 6: Building Effective Partnerships for Thriving Local Production and Pandemic Preparedness

·       Theme 7: Local Production in Action - Sharing Member States' Experiences and Learning from Successes

·       Theme 8: CEOs Forum - Leading Successful Industry with Public Health Impact

Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, highlighted the UAE’s prominent position as a global leader in innovation, talent attraction, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. She emphasized the EDE’s pivotal role in advancing innovation within the healthcare sector, ensuring the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products and medical technologies, and its ongoing commitment to developing effective and safe healthcare solutions.

Dr. Al Kaabi noted that hosting the World Local Production Forum, in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), further strengthens the UAE’s strategic partnership with the organization in supporting global health objectives. It also underscores the country’s dedication to adopting forward-thinking health policies that contribute to a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.

She added: "WLPF serves as a vital platform that unites key decision-makers and experts from across various sectors in the UAE. It facilitates dialogue on building resilient local production systems that address national needs and bolster the stability of global supply chains. Moreover, the forum reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub for innovation and plays a significant role in attracting investments to accelerate the growth of the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries."

The First day Agenda will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions with distinguished speakers, including, His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products at the World Health Organization (WHO).

World Local Production Forum plays a key role in improving national production capabilities and ensuring wider access to essential healthcare products. It supports efforts to develop sustainable solutions that strengthen pandemic preparedness and enhance global health security.

The official host country agreement was signed in January 2025 in Abu Dhabi, attended by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, and Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products at the World Health Organization (WHO).