Dr Ahmed Alosi; Dr Thekra Mohamed; Dr Geetha Krishnan G. Pillai.
©WHO
At the Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) set out four national commitments aligned with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 and highlighted plans for continued collaboration between the UAE Integrative Medicine Council and the World Health Organization.
The United Arab Emirates has announced a set of national commitments to strengthen the evidence-based integration of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into its health system. The commitments were presented during the Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine in Abu Dhabi, which brought together policymakers, health leaders, researchers, practitioners and innovators to discuss research, regulation, education, data and responsible innovation.
H.E. Safeya Abdulazeez Al Maqtari, Acting Secretary General of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, presented the commitments as part of the Council’s efforts to advance the UAE National Integrative Medicine Strategy and contribute to implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. Her presentation also highlighted the emerging areas of collaboration between the UAE Integrative Medicine Council and the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, with detailed arrangements continuing through the relevant processes.
The four national commitments are to:
- advance implementation and policy: advance the implementation of the UAE’s National Integrative Medicine Strategy and the development of national policies for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) practices, including regulatory frameworks, standards of care and evidence-based clinical guidelines to promote quality, safety and effectiveness by 2028;
- develop a national research agenda: develop the UAE’s first National Integrative Medicine Research Agenda to guide scientific research, evidence generation and innovation aligned with national healthcare priorities by 2027;
- strengthen education and workforce capacity: advance TCIM education, healthcare workforce capabilities and public awareness through local and international collaboration to strengthen professional competencies and support informed adoption of TCIM practices; and
- expand partnerships and knowledge exchange: strengthen partnerships, knowledge exchange, cross-sectoral cooperation and public-private engagement to position the UAE as a global leader in TCIM, contributing to healthy living, disease prevention and longevity.
Representing the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Dr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, Unit Head for Traditional Medicine Research, Data and Innovation, welcomed the UAE’s efforts to translate the priorities of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 into national action. "The UAE is demonstrating how countries can advance evidence-based integration while maintaining strong standards for quality, safety and effectiveness," said Dr Pillai. "Developing national research priorities aligned with WHO’s Global Research Priorities and Agenda for Traditional Medicine will help strengthen coordinated research, data generation and responsible innovation."
Across the Summit discussions, speakers emphasized that integration should be guided by scientific evidence and supported by effective governance. The discussions highlighted the importance of coordinated research and data generation, national research priorities aligned with global agendas, appropriate regulatory frameworks, standards of care, education and workforce development, and stronger national and international collaboration.
During a panel on building the evidence ecosystem for integrative medicine, Dr Ahmed Alosi, Research Consultant at the National Center for Health Research of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, described the UAE’s evolving research ecosystem and plans to identify national priorities for TCIM research. Dr Thekra Mohamed, Division Director for Drugs and Medical Products at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of rigorous approaches to safety, quality and effectiveness while enabling responsible innovation.
Providing a regional perspective, Dr Adi Al-Nuseirat, Technical Officer at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the growing need for regulatory frameworks across the region and noted the UAE’s experience in regulating multiple traditional medicine systems.
The Summit outcomes reflect wider momentum to integrate traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into health systems in ways that are evidence-based, safe, effective and people-centred. Through its national commitments and continued engagement with WHO, the UAE aims to advance implementation of its National Integrative Medicine Strategy while contributing to the objectives of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.