The World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 officially opened on Monday at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, bringing together global health leaders, policymakers, innovators, and institutions to explore the future of healthcare delivery.

Among the event’s most prominent national showcases is the UAE’s Emirates Health platform, led by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in collaboration with federal and emirate-level health authorities.

Read more-AI, prevention and policy alignment take focus at WHX in Dubai

Through this unified national platform, UAE health authorities are demonstrating how policy, regulation, and innovation are being applied at scale to strengthen population health, reinforce national resilience, and position healthcare as a strategic national priority. According to a report by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the platform reflects the government’s long-term commitment to building the health of a nation through prevention, preparedness, and responsible innovation.

The Emirates Health platform brings together federal and local health authorities under a shared national vision focused on delivering longer, healthier lives, enhancing quality of life, and supporting sustainable social and economic development.

Healthcare framed as a shared national responsibility

Throughout the exhibition, participating authorities are emphasising healthcare as a collective national responsibility rather than a standalone sector. This unified presence underscores how leadership, regulation, and service delivery work in tandem to protect population health and improve outcomes across the country.

The approach aligns closely with key national strategies, including We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071, both of which place health, wellbeing, and resilience at the core of national development.

Participating under the Emirates Health platform are the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Emirates Drug Establishment, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Health Authority, the Sharjah Health Authority, and the Emirates Council for Integrative Medicine. While each authority operates within its specific mandate, together they present a coordinated model of governance and delivery focused on shared priorities.

Coordination, data, and innovation at the heart of the model

A central theme of the Emirates Health showcase is the role of coordination across authorities in enabling more effective planning, stronger partnerships, and improved decision-making at local, regional, and global levels. Innovation, digital transformation, and data-driven insights are positioned as tools that serve public health objectives rather than ends in themselves.

Among the national initiatives being presented is the Enterprise Data Warehouse and Disease Registry (Bayan), which integrates health data from both public and private sectors to support evidence-based policymaking, predictive analytics, and long-term health planning.

The platform also features the Health Policy and Legislation Smart Platform, designed to enable agile and forward-looking health regulation, as well as an AI-powered Behavioural Insights Platform that supports preventive health policies through advanced behavioural analysis.

Advancing clinical innovation and life-saving capabilities

Within the broader national health framework, clinical innovation is also receiving significant attention. Among the highlighted advancements are advanced organ perfusion technologies, which extend organ viability and expand opportunities for transplantation.

These developments reflect the work of the National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue (Hayat), reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to saving lives while strengthening regional and international cooperation in organ donation and transplantation.

Leadership voices underline national commitment

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said that building the health of nations remains one of the government’s most fundamental responsibilities.

“Building the health of nations is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government,” he said. “The UAE continues to advance its focus on prevention, early action, and protecting population health. Our priority is strengthening preparedness, applying innovation responsibly, and enabling longer, healthier lives. Through World Health Expo 2026, we are articulating how national vision is translated into real impact through policy, regulation, data, and partnerships that put people first.”

Integrative medicine bridges heritage and modern science

Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, highlighted the UAE’s approach to blending traditional practices with modern, evidence-based medicine.

“The UAE is pioneering a new era of global healthcare by bridging our rich Emirati heritage and traditional practices with modern medicine, grounded in an evidence-based health approach,” she said.

She added that the Council’s participation at WHX Dubai 2026 reflects its commitment to developing a balanced and inclusive healthcare system.

“Through the participation of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council at World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2026, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to developing a balanced healthcare system, one that builds new capabilities and specialisations, strengthens research and collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and expands access to diverse treatment options,” she said. “This approach reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading global destination for comprehensive, sustainable healthcare.”

Abu Dhabi’s connected health system model

Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, described health in the emirate as a connected system designed to serve people seamlessly.

“In Abu Dhabi, health is designed as a connected system, an integrated intelligent infrastructure that works quietly in the background of daily life, bringing intelligence, data, and care together to serve people first,” he said.

“At World Health Expo 2026, the UAE presents this approach as a unified national model, highlighting how prevention-led thinking delivers sustainable impact for communities. Through collective action and collaborative, technology-enabled efforts, this model continues to enhance efficiency and resilience, empowering communities to enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

Strengthening drug security and pharmaceutical governance

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, director-general of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), said the Establishment’s participation under the unified Emirates Health pavilion reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening the UAE’s healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystem.

She stressed that the initiative also reinforces the country’s vision of drug security as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare.

During the event, she said the EDE would highlight its role in regulating and developing the pharmaceutical sector in line with the highest international standards through innovative initiatives and high-impact projects.

“The Establishment will also strengthen integration with health and regulatory authorities at both the local and international levels, thereby supporting prevention efforts, enhancing health readiness, and contributing to improved quality of life, in line with the objectives of ‘We the UAE 2031’ and the UAE Centennial 2071,” she said.

Dr Al Kaabi added that the UAE has built an advanced and sustainable healthcare system supported by national talent, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strong international partnerships. She noted that the EDE will continue to modernise legislative frameworks, develop policies, and enable strategic partnerships to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global benchmark for effective health governance.

Dubai and Sharjah highlight sector development

Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority, said WHX 2026 represents a key milestone in the ongoing development of the healthcare sector.

“The event brings together leading health leaders, experts, decision-makers, and innovators under one roof in Dubai,” he said, describing it as a global platform for emerging technologies and smart solutions shaping the future of healthcare.

Dr Abdulaziz Saeed Al Muhairi, chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, said the authority’s participation marks its first involvement in such a global forum. He described the event as a significant step in strengthening its institutional presence and showcasing its healthcare services and community initiatives.

Global engagement and collaboration

Beyond national showcases, World Health Expo 2026 serves as a hub for international engagement and collaboration. UAE health authorities are participating in policy dialogues, workshops, and knowledge-exchange sessions addressing topics such as genomics, behavioural insights, medical liability, and health adaptation.

Several agreements are also being signed with local and international entities to advance cooperation and support the continued development of healthcare services.

World Health Expo 2026 brings together more than 4,300 exhibitors from over 180 countries, along with hundreds of international experts and speakers, reinforcing its position as a global forum for dialogue on healthcare innovation, emerging technologies, and policy collaboration.

Dubai Land Department (DLD) said on Monday it will launch Phase II of its Real Estate Tokenisation Project, allowing resale of tokenised properties in the secondary market from February 20.

The move marks a transition from the pilot phase of the initiative to a more advanced operational stage, within a regulated framework designed to enhance market readiness for technology-driven real estate transactions.

“The Real Estate Tokenisation Project serves as a key enabler of the objectives of the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, which focuses on strengthening market balance, enhancing transparency, enabling technology, and delivering an integrated investment experience. This contributes to increasing the real estate sector’s share of Dubai’s GDP and reinforces the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for real estate investment, in alignment with the objectives of the UAE Vision 2071, aimed at consolidating global leadership and building a sustainable future economy,” DLD said in a statement.

DLD is the first real estate registration authority in the region to adopt the model

The pilot phase, launched in March under the “REES Real Estate Innovation Initiative” in partnership with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and other strategic partners, tested the regulatory, legislative, and technical frameworks for real estate tokenisation using title deeds.

DLD said this reinforced Dubai’s position as the first real estate registration authority in the region to adopt such a model under regulation.

Phase II will allow the resale of around 7.8 million real estate tokens in a controlled pilot framework.

The department said the phase aims to assess market efficiency, test operational readiness, improve transparency and governance, and safeguard investors’ rights while ensuring transaction integrity.

DLD said the rollout will follow a gradual approach based on practical evaluation of outcomes and in coordination with relevant regulatory authorities, to support future decisions grounded in operational data.

“The approach ensures alignment with approved regulatory and legislative frameworks and strengthens confidence among local and international investors,” the department said.

The World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai opened on February 9, as the UAE steps up its efforts to integrate artificial intelligence, prevention, and digital infrastructure into its national healthcare systems.

Running until February 12 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, WHX, formerly known as Arab Health, comes as the UAE accelerates its healthcare reform to support population health, long-term system resilience, and cost sustainability.

Organisers expect more than 235,000 professional visits and 4,300 exhibitors from over 180 countries. When combined with WHX Labs, formerly Medlab Middle East, total visits are expected to exceed 270,000, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a regional hub for healthcare policy, technology, and investment discussions.

Beyond scale, the agenda reflects a shift in focus toward deployment and system readiness, as UAE healthcare stakeholders move AI and digital health from pilots into national planning.

Preventive, AI-enabled healthcare at the core

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is using WHX 2026 to outline how AI and data are being embedded into preventative healthcare models. Presenting under the “Emirates Health” platform, DoH is showcasing initiatives designed to support early intervention, population health intelligence, and emergency preparedness.

Nine initiatives are on display, spanning genomics, disease prevention, and digital infrastructure. These include premarital genetic testing, newborn screening, pharmacogenomics programmes, AI-driven population health tools, and platforms such as the Unified Medical Operations Command Centre VR and the Indoor Air Quality Observatory.

Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the emirate is focused on building an intelligent health system that anticipates risk and improves long-term outcomes, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and international collaboration.

Abu Dhabi’s approach reflects a broader UAE trend, where regulators are taking an active role in shaping digital health ecosystems rather than limiting their role to oversight.

Private sector players at WHX are aligning innovation with national healthcare objectives. Siemens Healthineers Middle East and Africa is presenting AI-enabled imaging, diagnostics, and digital solutions aimed at improving clinical outcomes and operational efficiency across UAE healthcare facilities.

Vivek Kanade, MD for Siemens Healthineers Middle East and Africa, said the focus is on oncology, cardiology, neurology, and neurodegenerative diseases, alongside digital tools that support hospital planning, predictive simulations, and AI-assisted reporting.

He said the emphasis is on scalable deployment that integrates with existing healthcare workflows, supporting long-term system performance.

Chronic disease management moves up the policy agenda

Chronic disease remains a growing priority for the UAE’s healthcare system. Lilly META is highlighting obesity as a chronic condition that continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated despite affecting more than one billion people globally.

Amr Saeed, head of the Cardiometabolic Business Unit at Lilly META, said obesity is linked to more than 200 complications, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, yet often lacks structured diagnosis, insurance coverage, and long-term care pathways.

He pointed to the UAE’s Personalized Weight Management Programme as an example of policy-led intervention. The programme combines digital monitoring, clinician-led care, and reimbursement mechanisms to support sustained weight management and reduce long-term healthcare burden.

Lilly said its focus aligns with a broader UAE push toward evidence-based, digitally enabled chronic care, supported by sustained research investment. The company invested nearly $11bn in R&D in 2024, representing more than 24 per cent of annual sales.

Insurers adapt to preventive healthcare models

Insurance providers are also adjusting their role within the UAE healthcare ecosystem. Khulood Hafez, CEO of Technical Insurance Services (TIS), said insurers are increasingly adopting data-driven models that prioritise prevention and early intervention.

She noted that SMEs, which account for more than 90 per cent of UAE businesses, face rising healthcare costs and limited administrative capacity. Flexible benefit structures, combined with digital tools such as teleconsultations and predictive analytics, can help improve health outcomes while managing costs.

Hafez said insurers play a key role in supporting national priorities around chronic disease prevention and workforce wellbeing.

Global healthcare partners emphasise long-term innovation

Ousama Alhaj, GM and head of Human Pharma, Near East and UAE – Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “The UAE’s rise as a global destination for world-class healthcare is rooted in a long-term commitment to science, innovation, and partnerships that are designed to address real, unmet health needs. What distinguishes the country in the global healthcare landscape is not just the scale of investment, but the clarity of intent. There is a very deliberate focus on building a future-ready healthcare system that is science-led, innovation-driven, and centred on addressing real unmet patient needs. At Boehringer Ingelheim, research and innovation are at the core of everything we do, with a clear focus on diseases where patients continue to face limited treatment options. As a purpose-driven, research-led biopharmaceutical company, we make sustained investments in research and development to advance breakthrough science across areas such as stroke, cardio-renal-metabolic disease, inflammatory conditions, and respiratory diseases.

“Across the region and Gulf, we see ourselves not only as a provider of innovative medicines, but as a long-term science and innovation partner contributing to the broader life sciences ecosystem. Our strategic collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and other emirates reflects a shared ambition to strengthen pharmaceutical research, enable access to advanced scientific platforms, and empower the local research community. Through initiatives such as open research platforms and global scientific collaboration models, we support knowledge exchange, accelerate discovery, and help bridge the gap between early-stage research and real-world impact.

As WHX 2026 gets underway, discussions in Dubai highlight how healthcare policy, technology deployment, and financing models are increasingly aligned in the UAE.

AI, digital platforms, and preventive care are moving from pilot programmes into system-level implementation, supported by regulatory coordination and public-private collaboration.

The event underscores how the UAE is shaping healthcare reform around long-term infrastructure, data integration, and population health outcomes.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that registration for public schools for the 2026–2027 academic year will open tomorrow, February 9, and continue until March 6, 2026.

The registration period applies to Emirati citizens and eligible students only and will not be extended beyond the specified dates. The ministry stressed that applications must be completed within the timeframe to ensure proper planning ahead of the new academic year.

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According to a report by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the MoE highlighted that early registration enables schools to prepare effectively for student placement, staffing requirements, textbooks and transportation services. “Timely registration allows schools to ensure a smooth and high-quality start from the first day of the academic year,” the ministry said.

Updated age eligibility criteria outlined

Registration will follow the updated admission age policy for the upcoming school year. Children born between January 1 and December 31, 2022, who are four years old, are eligible for Kindergarten 1 (KG-1). Those born during the same period in 2021 and aged five qualify for Kindergarten 2 (KG-2), while children born in 2020 and aged six are eligible for Grade 1.

The MoE also clarified provisions for students who did not meet the 2025–2026 registration requirements due to birth dates falling between September 1 and December 31, 2021. Parents may choose to enroll these students in either KG-1 or KG-2, depending on individual readiness.

Who can apply and how

Registration covers four categories of students from kindergarten through Grade 12: new students, transfers from private schools or institutes to public schools, students returning from schools abroad, and transfers between public schools.

Parents and guardians can submit applications through the MoE’s official website or the UAE MoE smart application. The ministry advised families to ensure that UAE Pass details for parents or guardians are updated and to select school transportation options during the registration period to avoid delays.

The MoE urged parents to review the public school registration guide for the 2026–2027 academic year available on its official website. The guide outlines admission criteria, available educational streams, including general and advanced tracks, and special standards for students of determination to support effective integration.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened a new 600-metre bridge comprising four lanes at the intersection of Al Qudra Road and the link road connecting Arabian Ranches with Dubai Studio City, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the Al Qudra Road corridor.

The bridge forms part of a wider project aimed at improving traffic flow along one of Dubai’s key east–west transport routes. According to an RTA media report, the corridor extends from its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, passing through Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street and Emirates Road, and continuing along Al Qudra Road.

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The newly opened bridge is designed to ease congestion at a critical junction, improving traffic flow between Al Qudra Road and the connecting road serving Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City. RTA said the upgrade increases road capacity by 191 percent, from 6,600 vehicles per hour to 19,200 vehicles per hour, while reducing waiting times at the intersection by 55 per cent, cutting delays from 113 seconds to 52 seconds.

Further bridge openings scheduled

As part of the same development programme, RTA announced that it will open the northern (left-side) bridge at the intersection of Al Qudra Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street on 15 February. The 700-metre structure provides two lanes in each direction and will be operational while construction continues on the southern (right-side) bridge.

Once open, the bridge will serve traffic travelling along Al Qudra Road towards Al Qudra City, as well as vehicles heading in the direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, further easing pressure on surrounding road networks.

Leadership directives and long-term vision

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the Al Qudra Road Development Project reflects Dubai’s broader vision for infrastructure growth.

“Al Qudra Road Development Project is being implemented in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and under the follow-up of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to complete the development of road network infrastructure,” Al Tayer said.

He added that the project supports smoother mobility for residents and visitors, keeps pace with Dubai’s sustained urban expansion, and addresses the emirate’s growing development and population needs.

Reduced travel times and expanded capacity

Al Tayer said the project includes upgrading several key intersections and constructing bridges with a total length of 2,700 metres, in addition to widening and improving existing roads over a total stretch of 11.6 kilometres.

“These improvements will increase road capacity and cut journey time by 70 percent, reducing travel time from 9.4 minutes to 2.8 minutes,” he said, noting that the development will serve residential and development areas accommodating an estimated 400,000 residents and visitors.

He also described Al Qudra Road as one of the most important projects undertaken to strengthen Dubai’s east–west road corridors.

“The project, extending from its intersection with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road, serves several major development areas, most notably Arabian Ranches 1 and 2, Dubai Motor City, Dubai Studio City, DAMAC Hills, Mudon, and The Sustainable City,” Al Tayer said.

Safer roads and smoother traffic flow

According to RTA, the upgrades are expected to improve traffic efficiency at strategic intersections, reduce congestion, and shorten travel times between key destinations. The project is also designed to ensure smoother, uninterrupted traffic flow along Al Qudra Road towards Emirates Road and onwards to Al Qudra City, and vice versa.

In addition, RTA said the improvements will enhance road safety standards and support urban growth and economic activity across the communities served by the corridor.

Major intersection upgrades underway

Beyond the newly completed bridge linking Al Qudra Road with Arabian Ranches and Dubai Studio City, the project includes a comprehensive upgrade of the intersection between Al Qudra Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street.

This phase involves the construction of a 700-metre bridge providing four lanes in each direction, as well as auxiliary lanes along side ramps, with two lanes per ramp, to ensure seamless traffic flow without affecting the main carriageway.

RTA is also constructing a 500-metre bridge to serve traffic moving from Al Qudra Road to Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street towards Jebel Ali, along with a 900-metre bridge for traffic heading towards the city centre and Dubai International Airport.

The authority is further developing three kilometres of service roads on both sides of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street to improve connectivity with surrounding development projects.

Once completed, the intersection upgrade is expected to increase road capacity from 7,800 vehicles per hour to 19,400 vehicles per hour and reduce waiting time by 85 percent, cutting delays from 393 seconds to 60 seconds.

Wider road enhancements across the corridor

The project also includes upgrading Al Qudra Road from its intersection with Emirates Road to the existing roundabout serving key development communities, including Town Square Dubai, Mira Developments, and DAMAC Hills 2.

Works involve widening Al Qudra Road by increasing the number of lanes in both directions along a 3.4-kilometre stretch within the developers’ zone. RTA is also constructing a new 4.8-kilometre road in the southern section of the area, linking it directly to Emirates Road to improve entry and exit movements for nearby developments.

Additional lanes are being added on both sides of Emirates Road over a total length of 4.8 kilometres, further strengthening connectivity across the area.