Abu Dhabi to Host Second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine in October 2026
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council announces the return of its flagship summit, bringing together international experts to advance the integration of traditional and complementary practices within global healthcare frameworks.
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council has unveiled plans for the second edition of Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine, scheduled to convene from 20 to 22 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The gathering will unite distinguished local and international practitioners, researchers and thought leaders to examine scientific evidence and emerging developments shaping the evolution of integrative healthcare approaches.
Operating as a dedicated platform within Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, the Al Shifaa Summit will explore the convergence of traditional knowledge, complementary medicine practices and contemporary scientific inquiry. The overarching theme, To Sense is to Predict, will provide the conceptual framework for discussions encompassing the full spectrum of integrative medicine development—from foundational knowledge and research through education, innovation and real-world clinical application.
Four Strategic Focus Areas
The 2026 programme will direct attention towards four principal domains: higher education and training; research and clinical evidence; applied innovation and solutions; and the intersection of artificial intelligence with integrative medicine’s future trajectory. This structured approach ensures rigorous examination of how traditional and complementary practices can advance responsibly within modern healthcare systems.
Leadership Vision
Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, articulated the council’s commitment to advancing the field: “Integrative medicine draws on knowledge rooted in diverse traditions, disciplines and medical approaches. Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine creates a platform for these perspectives to come together and for established approaches to be examined, while opening new opportunities for research, education and collaboration.”
She emphasised that the summit’s foundation rests upon “a shared commitment to scientific evidence and the highest standards of quality and safety, helping to strengthen confidence in the field and support its continued development in the UAE and around the world.”
Convening Global Expertise
The summit will bring together policymakers, healthcare administrators and practitioners alongside researchers, academics, innovators and industry representatives from the UAE and beyond. Participants will exchange insights and experiences whilst examining how research, education, policy, clinical practice and technological advancement can collectively contribute to the responsible development of integrative medicine on regional and international scales.
The inaugural Al Shifaa Summit, held in 2025, welcomed more than 25 experts from across the integrative medicine sector. By establishing connections across the integrative medicine ecosystem, the 2026 edition aims to identify shared priorities and collaborative opportunities, further positioning the UAE as a centre for meaningful dialogue and cooperation within this rapidly evolving field.
Registration for the summit is now open to healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, academics, practitioners and members of the community with interest in integrative medicine. The summit’s full programme and speaker roster will be announced in the coming weeks.
Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office