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IFOS Сongress to be held in Dubai in 2023

Dubai will host the next World Congress of the International Federation of Otolaryngological Societies (IFOS), giving its members the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face at the first face-to-face edition of their main global gathering since 2017.

The 22nd Congress will be held for the first time in the Gulf region and will take place from 17-21 January 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Led by the UAE ORL Society and supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Health Authority, the city has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing an IFOS platform for its flagship congress, maintaining a fruitful dialogue with the international organisation in recent years.

As a member of the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, which brings together industry leaders and members of global organisations to position Dubai as a hub for international business events, the UAE ORL Society was able to benefit from the support of Dubai Business Events, part of the DET and the city’s official congress bureau, to ensure that IFOS could present an optimal offering.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “IFOS’ decision to hold its next congress in Dubai is a testament to the city’s positioning as a world-class business event destination and knowledge hub. It also demonstrates the confidence that Dubai continues to cope with the global pandemic through the strong leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”

His Excellency Awadh Segayer Al Ketbi, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, said that the UAE hosting the IFOS World Congress next year in Dubai instead of Canada reflects the country’s capacity and the tremendous opportunity that Dubai has to host such major scientific and medical events.

His Excellency stressed that the group of international health conferences that the country witnesses every year points to the advanced position that the UAE health sector has achieved at the international level, and confirms the confidence of institutions, associations and specialised bodies in the ability of everything that is organised in the United Arab Emirates and in Dubai.

He said that the Dubai Health Authority is very proud that Dubai is the preferred venue for conferences and forums of health leaders, executives, scientists and doctors around the world, noting that the Authority will make every effort for the success of the IFOS Congress and other international conferences that Dubai hosts.

Professor Bernard Freiss, IFOS president, said: “The IFOS Executive Committee enthusiastically decided to entrust the hosting of the next World Congress to Dubai. The decision was unanimous due to the great success, quality and high level of participation over the years at previous IFOS Congresses in Dubai, which were sources of motivation and great expertise and contributed to scientific discovery and success. The objectives of the IFOS World Congress 2023 are to mobilise younger generations of ENT [ear, nose and throat] specialists, express the diversity of practices worldwide and present technical innovations in ENT practice.

“We look forward to a successful World Congress in Dubai with an attractive scientific programme featuring key opinion leaders in the ENT field, knowledge sharing among researchers, clinicians and industry, and the renowned hospitality of Dubai.”

Dr Hussain Abdulrahman Al Rand, President of the Gulf and Emirates Head and Neck ENT Society, said: “We are very pleased and honoured to host the ENT community worldwide at the IFOS conference in Dubai, UAE. Building on the success of previous meetings, the theme for 2023 is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating a Future for a Better Tomorrow’, which will pave the way for improved patient care and well-being.

“IFOS Dubai 2023 is a major achievement in line with our society’s mission to strengthen knowledge, develop skills and enhance expertise across a wide range of ENT specialties. Case presentations, panel discussions, expert talks and specialised skills-based seminars are interspersed throughout the programme to encourage knowledge exchange between researchers, clinicians and healthcare professionals.”

The International Federation of ENT Societies (IFOS) is a non-political organisation representing more than 50,000 otolaryngologists from some 120 member countries and is a leader in the global hearing loss prevention programme. It was established in 1965 to provide continuity between the IFOS World Congresses, which have been held since 1928.