Arab News Japan

DUBAI: The third edition of Abu Dhabi’s World Local Production Forum concluded on Wednesday with the attendance of Yukiko Nakatani, the World Health Organization’s Assistant Director General for the Access to Medicines and Health Products Division.

The Japanese Assistant Director General stressed in her closing remarks the importance of local production in creating solid healthcare systems. 

“This forum comes at a critical time as health systems worldwide face growing challenges in ensuring timely and equitable access to essential health products,” she said. 

“Strengthening local production is a foundational pillar for building more resilient healthcare systems, and the UAE provides a good example with a holistic approach for other countries and regions,” Nakatani added. 

Concluding the forum alongside Nakatani was Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment, who reaffirmed the UAE’s position as a global leader in pharmaceutical innovation. 

“We are pleased to host this global forum in partnership with the World Health Organization, reflecting the UAE’s deep commitment to expanding local manufacturing capabilities, supporting research and development systems, and maintaining the highest quality standards in the production and distribution of medical products,” he shared. 

The three-day forum featured various discussions across eight areas, such as policies and regulatory frameworks for strengthening local production systems and innovative strategies for financing and investment. It was attended by more than 4,000 participants from 141 countries, including Japan. 

Prior to WHO, Nakatani worked at the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.