Welcome Message

Welcome to the 23^rd WONCA World Conference of Family Doctors

WONCA World

I’m delighted, as WONCA President, to contribute this message to the website for WONCA 2020 in Abu Dhabi. WONCA world events are key highlights of our calendar, providing a chance for us to get together with old friends and new, exchange ideas and experiences and to learn from each other. All of this will take place in Abu Dhabi in November 2020, during WONCA’s 23^rd World Conference. But it’s also an exciting “first” as it will be the first time that the world event has taken place in WONCA’s newest region – the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).

Like all WONCA events there will be excellent scientific and cultural programmes, and we also look forward to contributions from our colleagues in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region Office (EMRO). WONCA has had an excellent ongoing relationship with WHO EMRO extending over many years, resulting most recently in our joint publication – “Family Practice in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Universal Health Coverage and Quality Primary Care” – edited by Michael Kidd and Hassan Saleh (WHO).

I encourage you all to note the dates of this important event in your diaries – 25^th to 29^th November 2020 at the ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. I look forward to meeting you there!

Dr. Donald Li Kwok Tung
President of WONCA

Conference Planning Committee

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the 23^rd WONCA World Conference of Family Doctors WONCA 2020, to be held on 25^th-29^th November 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

This is the first time in the history of WONCA World that it joins forces with an Arab-based organization to co-organize its world congress; as an emphasis of the growing scope and expertise in the UAE and the Arab region.

The UAE is an avid supporter of scientific innovation and the improvement of health care systems and aspires to actively contribute to the advancement of scientific and medical practices locally, regionally and internationally.

We look forward to an exciting meeting that promises great educational content and to the interaction with all distinguished guests and colleagues from around the world.

With Abu Dhabi as the backdrop, you will be sure to enjoy the region’s unique heritage and experience the famous Arabian Hospitality.

Kind regards,

Dr. Hussein Al Rand
Chair – Conference Planning Committee
Assistant Undersecretary
Health Centres, Clinics & Public Health
UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention

Host Organising Committee

Conference Scientific Committee

Dear Colleagues,

Holding this World Conference in Abu Dhabi, is especially important, as it promises to be the largest gathering of Family Medicine Experts to take place in the Arab world, with an expected 4,000 Health Care Professionals. With enthusiastic and highly experienced partners, we look forward to making the 23^rd WONCA World Conference the most successful to date.

The WONCA 2020 Planning & Scientific committees are developing a rich educational and networking program, featuring highly respected international and regional faculty, including scientific sessions, workshops and seminars, forums, debates and networking events.

The theme of the conference is “Together, We Own the Future” and will cover the broad diversity of disciplines within family medicine, offering a dynamic and highly enriching program.

We encourage you to use this excellent opportunity to gain insights into the current and future developments in the United Arab Emirates and experience the warm hospitality of Abu Dhabi together with its unique culture and heritage.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wadeia Al Sharif
Co-Chair
Host Organising Committee
President
Emirates Family Medicine Society

Dr. Mohamed Farghaly
Co-Chair
International Scientific Committee
Scientific Chair
Emirates Family Medicine Society