Dubai is to host the next edition of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS) World Congress, providing its members with the opportunity to finally meet face-to-face at the first in-person edition of their flagship global gathering since 2017.

The 22nd edition of the congress will be the first to take place in the Gulf region in cooperation with the GCC ORL Head and Neck Society, Emirates ORL Head and Neck Society, and will be held 17-21 January 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Arrangements are being made after the Emirates ORL Society, offered to relocate the event to Dubai from its originally planned host city.

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

As a member of the Al Safeer Congress Ambassador Programme, which brings together sector leaders and members of global organisations to position Dubai as a hub for international business events, the UAE ORL Society has been able to leverage support from Dubai Business Events, part of DET and the city’s official convention bureau, to ensure it can present optimised propositions to IFOS.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism said: “The decision by IFOS to bring its next congress to Dubai is a testament to the city’s positioning as a world-class business events destination and knowledge hub. It is also a demonstration of the confidence that continues to be shown in Dubai’s handling of the global pandemic, driven by the decisive leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

“Since resuming our international business events in October 2020, we have welcomed a diverse range of conferences, congresses and other meetings to Dubai, in many cases providing organisers with a viable route to restart and relocate their in-person events safely in the wake of the global pandemic. With less than a year to go until the next IFOS World Congress, organisers will have our full support and assistance to ensure the society can provide its members with a strong scientific programme and an unrivalled platform for sharing knowledge, professional development and networking.”

His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said that the UAE's hosting of the IFOS World Congress, to be held in Dubai next year, instead of Canada, reflects the capabilities of the country, and the enormous capabilities that Dubai possesses, to host such major medical scientific events. 

His Excellency stressed that the group of international health conferences that the country witnesses annually indicates the advanced position that the UAE health sector has reached internationally, and also 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 stated that the Dubai Health Authority is very proud that Dubai is the preferred destination for conferences and forums of health leaders, decision makers, scientists and doctors around the world, pointing out that the authority will spare no effort for the success of the IFOS Congress, and other international conferences, which Dubai hosts.

Professor Bernard Fraysse, President of IFOS, said: “The IFOS Executive Committee has enthusiastically decided to entrust the next World Congress to Dubai. The decision was unanimous due to the huge success, quality and high participation over many years at previous IFOS Congresses in Dubai, which have been sources of motivation and great experience and have promoted scientific discovery and success. The objectives of the IFOS World Congress 2023 are to mobilise the younger generations of ENT [ear, nose and throat] specialists, express the diversity of practices around the world, and present technical innovations in ENT.

“We look forward to a successful World Congress in Dubai which will have an attractive scientific programme with the participation of key opinion leaders in ENT, see the sharing of knowledge between researchers, doctors and industrialists, and incorporate Dubai’s renowned hospitality.”

Dr Hussain Abdulrahman Al Rand, President – GCC & Emirates ORL Head and Neck Society, said: “We are delighted and feel honoured to host the ENT community worldwide for 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 to improve patient care and well-being.

“IFOS Dubai 2023 is a major accomplishment in line with our society mission to strengthen the knowledge, amplify the skills, and enhance expertise across the wide spectrum of the ENT specialty. Case presentations, panel discussions, expert talks and dedicated skill-based workshops are interspersed throughout the programme to encourage knowledge sharing among researchers, physicians, and health care professionals.”

The International Federation of ORL Societies (IFOS), is a non-political organization representing over 50,000 Otolaryngologists belonging to about 120 member nations and is a leader in the global program for hearing loss prevention. It was established in 1965 to provide continuity between the IFOS World Congresses, which have been running since 1928.