The UAE’s proactive approach against the COVID-19 pandemic helped in facilitating the safe opening and management of the Expo 2020 Dubai. On January 31, the first World Expo in the MENA and South Asia region welcomed more than 11.6 million visits from countries across the globe.

Experts credited the UAE leadership's efforts to promote COVID-19 resilience and commitment to its community which helped in swift decision-making and smooth operations of the Expo.

Addressing the Health and Wellness Week Business Forum, Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary of Health Regulations Sector, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, said the UAE’s robust infrastructure of healthcare laws, legislation, policies and regulations affirmed the leadership's confidence on effective management of the pandemic.

“The UAE government’s support of healthcare services and commitment to the community is great. During the pandemic, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, told the entire UAE ‘latsheloon ham’, which means ‘do not worry'," he added.

He explained that the UAE secured the approval for the Moderna COVID-19 within hours, also becoming the only country in the Middle East and North Africa to start clinical trials for the Sinopharm vaccine.

All these measures were strengthened with consistent support from the community. More than 54,000 volunteers participated in the trials. People from more than 200 nationalities living in the UAE ensured strict adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines and rules.

"You helped us make sure that we were able to protect your health – and this is what set Expo 2020 up for success, with millions coming to visit," he added lauding the community members for their support.

Gizem Akalin, vice-president & general manager - Gulf, GlaxoSmithKline, further underlined the importance of collaborations within the pharmaceutical sector.

“Partnerships make for successful management not only of pandemics, but different diseases or prevention of diseases in general. The UAE provided a great example of this. It was the second country in the world to give access to a medicine that was a life-saving product, within 24 hours – a great illustration of how a government can partner with the pharmaceutical industry to create a solution," Akalin said.

Furthermore, Mohamed Ez Eldin, president & head of Gulf Cluster, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, commended the UAE for creating an environment of easy access to innovation. The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention established partnerships with multinational companies to ensure the availability of vaccines across the country in relevant time period.

“Hand-in-hand with the availability of vaccines is awareness – making sure the public understands the importance of getting vaccinated and seizes the opportunity to do so as soon as possible. We worked with the Ministry of Health and Prevention on programmes to drive this awareness," Ez Eldin added.

He further praised the efforts demonstrated by the UAE in maintaining and developing its other healthcare services during the pandemic.

The Business Forum took place in association with the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences as part of the Health and Wellness Week. It is one of the 10 Theme Weeks taking place under the Expo 2020’s Programme for People and Planet.