From Insight to Action: Transforming the Future of Obesity Care M42’s Healthpoint and ICLDEC, in cooperation with ADPHC, Co-Chair Pivotal 7th UAE Obesity Conference 2025
Once again reaffirming the UAE’s leadership in advancing obesity care and management across the region, the 7th UAE Obesity Conference (7UOC), co-chaired by M42’s Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Centre (ICLDEC) and Healthpoint, took place from the 15–16 November 2025 at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi.
Held under the theme “Transforming Obesity Care: The Future is Now,” this year’s conference brought together a distinguished lineup of international and regional experts to share the latest updates on clinical guidelines, innovative treatments, and multidisciplinary strategies in obesity management. The event, which attracted over 700 healthcare professionals, highlighted the importance of collaborative, evidence-based approaches in tackling one of the world’s fastest-growing health challenges.
Organised in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), World Obesity Federation (WOF), and Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society, the conference continues to serve as one of the region’s foremost platforms for knowledge exchange and capacity building among obesity specialists, endocrinologists, bariatric surgeons, dietitians, and primary care physicians.
The two-day conference featured insightful and solution-driven discussions, addressing the condition as a global health priority through prevention, education, innovation and coordinated public health efforts, given World Health Organisation reports stating that over one billion people worldwide are now living with obesity.
The 7UOC was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Rashid Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. In his opening remarks, he said: “Combating obesity and promoting healthy weight management are central to our mission of preventing chronic disease and building a healthier and safer community.
With our data-driven smart ecosystem, Abu Dhabi is leading the way in addressing chronic conditions, particularly obesity. This ecosystem has empowered us to implement a range of proactive programs that identify high-risk groups, provide them with essential guidance and support, and enable individuals to manage and maintain a healthy weight sustainably through a personalised plan that meets their unique needs.”
“We are pleased to be joined by world experts and local leaders in this conference, as it reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional hub for innovation, evidence-based care, and the advancement of public health.” Al Suwaidi added.
As co-chairs and moderators, Dr. Mohammed Al Hadad and Dr. Sara Suliman guided several sessions across the two-day program, fostering rich discussion and practical knowledge exchange among delegates.
Dr. Mohammed Al Hadad, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon and Head of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Healthpoint, said: “This year’s conference highlighted the latest clinical guidelines and evidence that are shaping a new era in obesity management. It’s encouraging to see how these developments are helping us align best practices across the region, ensuring patients receive more precise, preventive, and personalised care that truly improves outcomes and quality of life.”
Dr. Sara Suliman, Consultant Endocrinologist, Diabetologist and Clinical Lead for Obesity and Bariatrics at ICLDEC, said: “The 7th UAE Obesity Conference has been an invaluable platform for clinicians to exchange knowledge and explore emerging data that’s played a catalytic role in shaping the next era of obesity care. By translating this evidence into practice, we’re continuing to elevate outcomes and strengthen the region’s role in advancing obesity management not only in our region, but worldwide. We would also like to recognise the outstanding contributions of the experts whose work continues to drive innovation, and improve care and, ultimately, the outcomes for people living with obesity.”
The 2025 edition of the conference featured an exceptional international speaker faculty, including global leaders who each currently or recently served as presidents of major international obesity societies: Dr. Bruno Halpern, Incoming President of the World Obesity Federation (Brazil); Dr. Ricardo Cohen, Immediate Past President of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO); Dr. Marc Andre Cornier, President of The Obesity Society (USA); and Dr. Kyoung-Kon Kim, President of the Asian and Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity (Korea) – alongside other distinguished experts, such as Johanna Ralston, CEO of the World Obesity Federation; underscoring the conference’s growing regional and international scope.
Across the two-day agenda, experts explored advancements shaping the next generation of obesity care, from evolving treatment guidelines and emerging medications to the growing role of technology, genomics, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The discussions shed light on how these developments are transforming patient outcomes, enabling earlier intervention, and promoting more holistic, personalised approaches to obesity management. The conference also featured a pivotal session led by Tiago Magalhaes (M42, UAE) on “Genomics: Using Genomics for Obesity Care,” reflecting M42’s growing focus on data-driven, precision-based health innovation.
The event also highlighted ongoing efforts by ADPHC and partner organisations to align local obesity prevention and treatment initiatives with international best practices, while emphasising early intervention and multidisciplinary care models. Additionally, and as part of its continuous medical education program, the conference was CME-accredited and awarded 4.0 SCOPE points by the World Obesity Federation.
The success of this year’s conference underscores ICLDEC’s and Healthpoint’s shared commitment to advancing patient-centered, personalised obesity care, improving outcomes and quality of life for people living with the condition. As part of M42’s global network of world-class healthcare providers, both entities continue to drive forward initiatives that align with M42’s mission to transform the global healthcare landscape through innovation, collaboration, and precision-driven care.
