Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, opened the inaugural Cleveland Clinic Global Summit on Innovations in Cancer Care that took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The three-day summit, hosted by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, brought together over 30 leading oncology experts from Cleveland Clinic’s global network, cementing the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical education and innovation in the UAE and wider region.

Sheikh Nahyan reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to leading in medical advancements in cancer care. This is done through research and innovation for the rapid development of the latest technologies, as well as improved screening, detection, and prevention of cancer.

Emphasising how the UAE has emerged as a hub of innovation and excellence for health, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said, “President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has identified our population’s health and wellness as one of our highest national priorities. With His Highness’s leadership and guidance, we are proud that our health care system is characterised by excellence, teamwork, relevant medical research, state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics, quality assurance and accountability, and the accelerated use of technology.”

“This global summit reflects the fact that cancer is a global concern. We welcome this summit as an important step in focusing on cancer as one of the greatest challenges to the quality and extent of healthcare in the world. It is only through knowledge exchange, cooperation across borders, and multi-disciplinary approaches to the fight against cancer can you hope to keep pace with developments that will allow you to treat your patients most effectively. I am delighted to note that by hosting this global summit, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to advance its important mission of promoting medical research, best medical practice, and continuing medical education in the United Arab Emirates and beyond,” Sheikh Nahyan added.

Dr. Faek El Jamali, Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Global Summit on Innovations in Cancer Care and staff physician, general surgery at the Digestive Disease Institute, said, “We are honoured to host the inaugural Cleveland Clinic Global Summit on Innovations in Cancer Care here in Abu Dhabi. The summit highlights the critical role of international medical collaboration in advancing cancer care. By bringing together experts from around the world, we aim to not only explore the latest advancements but also tailor them to the unique challenges and opportunities in the UAE and the broader Gulf region.”

The summit saw the launch of the Cleveland Clinic Global Cancer Award, an annual accolade to recognise individuals who have spearhead the fight against cancer on a local or global level. The award in its inaugural ceremony was handed over to HRH Princess Dina Mired of Jordan by Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, in recognition of HRH’s profound efforts to raise awareness and support for cancer patients and their families.

In his presentation speech, Al Nowais emphasised the urgency to accelerate the fight against cancer with statistics revealing a recent surge in cancer diagnoses in individuals under 40 on a global scale. He urged prioritising research with a focus on prevention, precision, and personalisation by harnessing collective resources, knowledge, expertise, and innovation.

The summit, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), concluded saw over [XX] local, regional and international participants. Throughout the summit, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions and specialty break-out sessions on a diverse range of topics led by oncology experts, including the role of genomics and AI in cancer screening and prevention, developments in surgical and radiation oncology, and global oncology challenges and opportunities.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's comprehensive approach to cancer care was also showcased during exclusive tours of the Fatima bint Mubarak Cancer Center, which gave insights into cutting-edge technologies and therapies used at the centre and understand the application of personalised treatment plans.

With a team of renowned physicians and state-of-the-art facilities, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has remained steadfast in its commitment to pioneering excellence in healthcare in the region and beyond. Its innovative approach to care within oncology amongst other specialties, enabled by cutting-edge technology, has positioned the hospital as a leader in complex care, offering patients access to cutting-edge therapies and personalised treatment plans tailored to their unique needs.