HE Minister of Health and Prevention Leads UAE's delegation to BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting in Moscow

Dubai, UAE, October 16, 2024: The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has taken part in the recent BRICS health ministers’ meeting held in Moscow, where officials discussed ways to accelerate sustainable development and ensure health and well-being for all by 2030.

The UAE delegation was led by HE Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, and included HE Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Serkal, Director General of Emirates Health Services; HE Nasser Al Badour, Assistant Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health and Prevention; and HE Dr Abdullah Al Naqbi, Executive Director of Supporting Health Services at EHS, among other representatives.

During the high-level meetings, the UAE’s delegation joined other BRICS health ministers to tackle pressing global health challenges and explore avenues for deepening international cooperation in healthcare. The discussions touched on ways to accelerate sustainable development, promote universal health coverage, and bolster global health infrastructure, in line with the UAE’s vision to build cooperative partnerships and set a shared course toward a healthier future for all.

Commenting on the occasion, MoHAP’s Minister said, “The BRICS meetings do provide a perfect platform to exchange knowledge and expertise with BRICS countries, strengthen development efforts, and build more resilient health systems capable of addressing emerging threats and managing future crises.”

“Driven by a steadfast belief that global solidarity is essential to overcoming shared challenges, the UAE is committed to deepening multilateral cooperation and fostering constructive dialogue,” Al Owais added.

“The UAE has established itself as a strategic partner and supporter of the international health system, demonstrating leadership in global efforts to tackle urgent health challenges,” he stated.

“We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with BRICS partners to achieve our shared goals of establishing unified health standards and enhancing organisational capabilities. Our objective has been and will continue to be upgrading healthcare quality and innovation, meeting the aspirations of the communities we are committed to serving.”

Al Owais emphasised, “The UAE is making steady progress in building strong, constructive partnerships to support the global health system, leveraging our experience and innovative approaches, which have ranked us highly in global health metrics.”

“We are optimistic about the future, expecting that BRICS countries will see increased collaboration in support of sustainable development goals,” the minister said.

During the meetings, participants addressed several pressing health challenges, including the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance, which poses a significant threat to global health.

The UAE lauded the collaborative efforts made by the BRICS countries to tackle these challenges, specifically highlighting the group's effective role in combating antimicrobial resistance across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Member states also explored cooperation in key areas, such as developing joint programs in nuclear medicine, implementing an integrated early warning system to prevent infectious diseases, and standardising medical product regulations to ensure broad accessibility. They also discussed the upcoming launch of the BRICS Health Journal, which will serve as a leading platform for researchers and a global showcase for the BRICS countries' health projects.

The discussions further touched on the potential collaboration in tuberculosis and vaccine research, aiming for equitable access for all. Additionally, Health Ministers outlined plans for the BRICS Medical Association and Public Health Research Network, which will bolster the role of local medical associations and address the challenges posed by communicable, non-communicable, and mental health diseases through joint research and development.

As the sessions concluded, the UAE delegation reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration and broadening new avenues of cooperation among the BRICS nations to foster a more equitable, adaptable, and innovative global health system, contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, enhance global dialogue, and ultimately improve health and quality of life worldwide.