Abu Dhabi has won the rights to host the 2020 edition of World Conference of Family Doctors (Wonca 2020), a prominent biennial conference of family physicians that will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

Founded in 1972, Wonca is a not-for-profit professional organisation representing family physicians and general practitioners. It currently has 118 member organisations in 131 countries and territories. Some 500,000 family doctors and medical professionals are members of the organisation.

The event is expected to draw over 4,000 delegates from across the globe and will discuss a variety of topics related to the development of family medicine, said the organisers.

Abu Dhabi was given a tough competition by Lisbon, Portugal, before it was chosen as the host city by Wonca’s council members representing its seven regions during the 2016 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, director general, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), said: “We are excited that Abu Dhabi has been chosen as the host country for the event.”

“The emirate has been a very strong contender as an emerging destination for international events due to its excellent infrastructure, world class business and leisure tourism facilities, multi-purpose event venues, great variety of hotels and seamless connectivity with all parts of the world,” he stated.

“I am confident that the experience we have acquired through hosting many top global conferences recently will contribute significantly to the success of the conference,” he added.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, acting group CEO, at Adnec, said: "Abu Dhabi fought off stiff competition from well-established international Mice destinations in notching up this win to host an international, high-calibre event. This is clear evidence of the international vote of confidence in Adnec’s credentials in this important domain."

“Our win demonstrates the ongoing confidence of leading international associations in Abu Dhabi’s state-of-the-art capabilities in the business tourism sector following closely on the successful delivery of many high profile international events in recent years,” he observed.

“Recognising the huge potential of Abu Dhabi’s emerging healthcare sector, Adnec is committed to expanding its portfolio of healthcare events in the years to come,” he added.

The bid was led by the Emirates Family Medicine Society as the official UAE member organisation of Wonca, said a statement.

Dr Mohamed Farghaly, head of scientific committee in Family Medicine Society EMA and general secretary of Wonca EMR, said: “Winning the right to host this important conference in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Wonca for the first time in its history, is a major milestone for our society and the family physicians of the region.”

Medhat Nassar, CEO of Meeting Minds Experts, said: “Once again Abu Dhabi continues to benefit from its ‘collective city approach’ as a tested formula for winning and staging high profile international conventions.”

“Overall it has been a remarkable two years’ journey and an outstanding team effort, which was the crucial force behind this important win. We are delighted to have been at the heart of this collaboration and a major supporter of the Abu Dhabi bid to host Wonca 2020 World Congress,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service