More than 8,000 delegates are expected to take part in the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) 2012 to be held in Abu Dhabi.

The congress, which will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from February 16 to 20, will be the largest convention ever staged in the region with the 2012 edition being organised by the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology (Meaco).

“Registrations have largely come from India, Japan, USA, Germany, Saudi Arabia and UK with around one third being congress newcomers and 78 percent saying this will be their first visit to Abu Dhabi,” explained Dr Abdulaziz Al Rajhi, President, WOC 2012.

“We believe we are on course to deliver one of the most impressive congresses in terms of scientific content with some 2,000 internationally recognised invited speakers that will be organising more than 500 scientific sessions”, he said.

Meanwhile, executive director of the International Council of Ophthalmology Bill Felch toured Adnec with Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Adnec’s managing director.

Al Dhaheri reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s commitment to delivering “the most positive first and lasting impressions” to WOC 2012 participants.

He said that a total of 106 companies have signed up to exhibit alongside WOC 2012 with around 150 others still negotiating.

“To date, around 3,200 net sq m of exhibition space has been confirmed,” added Al Rajhi.

WOC 2012, with an anticipated attendance of 8,000, is being supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which has established a host city steering committee to oversee logistics to deliver a superior destination experience for congress attendees. – TradeArabia News Service