Abu Dhabi: The Medical Korea 2025 symposium in the United Arab Emirates was held in Abu Dhabi, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). The event, themed ''New Horizons in Radiation Therapy: Particle Beam Therapy," aimed to explore prospects for medical cooperation in radiation oncology.
According to Emirates News Agency, the symposium brought together international specialists and experts in the field and was hosted at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi. The event sought to advance scientific and clinical cooperation between the UAE and the Republic of Korea, focusing on academic exchange in cancer treatment technologies, particularly proton therapy and carbon ion therapy.
This initiative addresses the global demand for innovative medical solutions to combat cancer challenges, emphasizing both countries' commitment to precision medicine and high-quality patient care. Park Jong Kyoung, Minister and Consul General of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, delivered a keynote address, citing WHO statistics that highlight the growing incidence of cancer.
He noted that more than 20 million people are diagnosed with cancer annually, with 10 million succumbing to the disease. Projections suggest that cancer cases could surpass 35 million per year in the next 25 years. Park emphasized the need for unified scientific and medical efforts between the two nations to tackle this global health challenge.
Park highlighted Korea's application of advanced radiation technologies like proton therapy and carbon ion therapy in clinical practice. He acknowledged the UAE's efforts to combat cancer, including its recent decision to introduce a carbon ion accelerator facility. Park also emphasized the strategic partnership between Korea and the UAE, dating back to the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant project in 2009, and expressed hope for expanding cooperation into the healthcare sector.