- The invitation-only summit will bring together global health ministers, CEOs, investors and innovators shaping the next decade of health policy and investment
- Aligned with UAE Vision 2031, WHX Leaders in Dubai will position the UAE as a global hub for health leadership, intelligence and system-level transformation
- The official launch will take place on Sunday, 8 February 2026, where Lord Stephen Carter, Group CEO, Informa, will deliver the welcome address
World Health Expo (WHX) has announced the launch edition of WHX Leaders in Dubai, an invitation-only leadership platform designed for the worldโs most influential healthcare decision-makers.
The initiative will launch with a special preview on Sunday, 8 February, ahead of the full WHX Leaders programme in 2027. It will join WHX in Dubai (formerly Arab Health) and WHX Labs in Dubai (formerly Medlab Middle East) as part of a trio of events taking place across the city, reinforcing the UAEโs position as a global hub for healthcare leadership, investment and innovation. WHX is part of inD, the partnership between the Informa Group PLC and Dubai World Trade Centre.
Also Read: UAE Health Authorities to Present Unified National Health Vision at WHX Dubai 2026
WHX Leaders in Dubai, held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and aligned with UAE Vision 2031, launches amid mounting global pressure on healthcare systems. Ageing populations, rising rates of chronic disease, workforce shortages, which according to World Health Organization projections will result in a shortfall of around 11 million health workers by 2030, and increasing costs, all placing a growing strain on infrastructure.
At the same time, breakthroughs in digital health, data and AI are transforming how care is planned, delivered and financed, often outpacing regulation. These shifts highlight the urgent need for a dedicated platform to address the future of healthcare leadership.
WHX Leaders in Dubai will bring together around 200 senior leaders, including health ministers, government strategists, CEOs, global investors, and influential figures in AI, digital health, and academia who are shaping national healthcare policies, directing significant investments, and influencing the governance frameworks that will determine the future of global health systems.
Lord Stephen Carter, Group CEO, Informa, said: โAt Informa, we create opportunities for entire markets to connect, collaborate and innovate. WHX Leaders Dubai is a great expression of our commitment to this, bringing together key influencers from across the global healthcare ecosystem. Dubai, as a global hub for progress and connectivity, provides the perfect setting for these conversations.โ
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Designed as a closed-door, outcomes-driven forum, WHX Leaders, which held its inaugural edition in Africa in 2024, will address the need for a trusted environment where senior leaders can engage in strategic dialogue beyond the constraints of traditional conferences. The platform enables discussion at the highest level on policy alignment, institutional readiness, long-term system resilience, investment and governance models required to support next-generation health systems across the Middle East and beyond. Speakers on the day will include Shaista Asif, Group CEO, Pure Health; Daniel Kraft, Founder and CEO, NextMed Health; Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group CEO, M42; Maneesh Goyal, Chief Operating Officer, MayoClinic; Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO, GAVI, The Vaccine; and Sameh ElFangary, Chairman, The Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association Gulf (PHRMAG), President, GCC & P
