Abu Dhabi and South Korea strengthen cooperation to position the emirate as a global logistics centre in life science and biotechnology products

18 Jan, 2022:

The emirate of Abu Dhabi has continuously strived to strengthen its collaborations with partners from around the world to cement its position as a global logistics centre for life sciences products as well as develop competencies, research efforts and services provided in the healthcare sector. With the UAE holding its place as the largest economic partner for the Republic of South Korea in the Middle East, the emirate of Abu Dhabi strengthened ways of cooperation with South Korea by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). 

The MoU will further strengthen the cooperation in the field of logistics and industries of life sciences and biotechnology, in addition to exploring partnership opportunities between with the two nations to position Abu Dhabi as a logistic centre for the export of life sciences, pharmacy and healthcare products from South Korea and support the development and investment in life sciences organisations in the UAE.

H.E. Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH, H.E. Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of ADPHC and KWON Soonman, President of KHIDI signed the MoU in the presence of H.E. Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of DoH. ADPHC aims to enhance the quality, safety and efficacy of medical services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices in Korea in addition to promoting the development of global healthcare solutions through the collaboration with partners from across the world. 

This collaboration focuses on several fields including clinical research, public health promotion, disease prevention, innovation in life sciences among many other. In addition, the MoU aims to launch educational initiatives in partnership with reputable teaching hospitals in both countries to provide training and learning opportunities for physicians, dentists, nurses and other allied health professions. The collaboration will also identify and pursue collaborative research projects of mutual interest in vaccine development, epidemiological studies and new diagnostic methods. 

H.E. Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH, said: “Under the directives of our wise leadership, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) continues to strengthen its relationships with regional and international partners to further develop the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi with the aim to position the emirate as a key player in the global healthcare industry. We are pleased to announce Abu Dhabi's collaboration with South Korea by signing an MoU with our partners at the Korea Institute for Health Sector Development. This cooperation will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s positioning as an incubator for innovation in clinical and life sciences research in the region and discuss ways to harness Abu Dhabi's logistical capabilities to transport and distribute pharmaceutical and medical products between different nations.”

KWON Soonman, President of Korea Health Industry Development Institute, said: "We are pleased to be part of this trilateral MoU between KHIDI, DOH and ADPHC, we look forward to expanding our cooperation between the two countries not only in the field of clinical trials, but also across all healthcare sectors. I firmly believe that if we jointly overcome the ongoing pandemic in a wise manner, today's MoU will greatly contribute to fostering the healthcare industry of the two nations in this era where we live with COVID-19."

H.E. Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), said: “The partnership with Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), further demonstrates our commitment to knowledge exchange with international healthcare peers and ensuring strong public health efforts are continuing to be established within Abu Dhabi. This agreement will act as a platform for ongoing collaboration with a recognised industry leader to explore mutually beneficial opportunities across the healthcare sector that long-term will equip medical professionals operating in the emirate, and therefore support every member of Abu Dhabi society.”

In 2021, the emirate of Abu Dhabi achieved a number of key milestones in its healthcare journey, marking yet another successful year for the health sector efforts, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emirate continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for advanced healthcare, as well as an incubator for innovation in life sciences and a regional hub for international cooperation and unification of world-class healthcare efforts. Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector has reaffirmed its flexibility and readiness to confront crises and face challenges while continuing to provide healthcare services at the highest levels of quality and using the latest therapeutic, preventive and diagnostic innovations and technologies.

In addition, during 2021 and under the leadership of DoH, Abu Dhabi’s HOPE Consortium, which offers one of the most capable and effective vaccine supply chains in the world, distributed and transported more than 200 million vaccines to the world. The HOPE Consortium is a public-private partnership that has evolved into a leading international effort, broadening its global transport and delivery of all kinds of vaccines capabilities.