Dubai: is taking centre stage in the global health landscape by chairing the launch of the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report (SoWN) at the Eastern Mediterranean Region’s level.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event is part of the “Race for Excellence” initiative and will be held virtually on 12th May 2025, in conjunction with International Nurses Day under the global theme ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies’. This strategic event highlights the UAE’s prominent role in global health policymaking and affirms its leadership as a regional hub for shaping the future of the healthcare sector.
Held under the umbrella of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Emirates Health Services, this launch gains exceptional momentum and constitutes a key part of the official global celebrations across all WHO regions. This alignment of international efforts reflects the global community’s confidence in the UAE’s healthcare capabilities, its respected position in the global health arena, and its strategic role in shaping the future of health policy.
The UAE’s chairing of this global event reflects the directives of its wise leadership, which places human health and quality of life at the heart of its national priorities. It also aligns with the national ambition to build a world-class healthcare system founded on innovation and sustainability. This initiative also reinforces the strategic goals of ‘We the UAE 2031’, which aims to position the UAE at the forefront of global healthcare indicators while strengthening the competitiveness of its national health sector.
Selecting the UAE to lead this global initiative is a testament to its healthcare excellence. Its pioneering approach to nursing is featured in the report as a case study of international best practices, particularly in developing innovative specialty programs. This international recognition positions the UAE as a global hub for healthcare innovation and a benchmark for advancing nursing competencies.
Chairing this international launch is a tangible reflection of the UAE’s national strategy to advance its healthcare system and solidify its role as a regional leader. It also demonstrates the UAE’s forward-thinking approach to investing in nursing professionals as a foundational pillar for sustainable healthcare systems, equipped to meet future challenges and evolving community health needs.
The event also forms part of the UAE’s broader integrated efforts to strengthen the sustainability of its healthcare sector by fostering a highly qualified nursing workforce capable of delivering world-class care. Aligned with the objectives of the UAE Year of Community 2025, this approach seeks to strengthen social cohesion and improve the quality of life through inclusive access to essential services, including high-quality healthcare.
The UAE continues to make significant strides toward achieving global competitiveness in healthcare quality and system efficiency. This is manifested in its unique national model, which brings together world-class international expertise and strong investment in developing local healthcare talent. As a result, the UAE has emerged as a leading regional destination for healthcare, medical education, and nursing advancement.
The selection of the 2025 International Nurses Day theme ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies’, reflects the vital role of the nursing workforce, not only in the health sector, but also in economic stability and national development. This is fully aligned with the UAE’s vision of empowering nurses as strategic partners in achieving sustainable socio-economic growth.
The second edition of the State of the World’s Nursing report, following the inaugural 2020 edition, will offer a comprehensive strategic outlook on the nursing workforce at national, regional, and global levels. It will provide an in-depth analysis of the post-COVID-19 health landscape, identify critical gaps, and highlight strategic opportunities to elevate nursing’s role in primary healthcare, eventually supporting long-term sustainability and universal health coverage.
The virtual launch will feature a high-level panel discussion, bringing together leading experts from the Eastern Mediterranean Region to explore the report’s key findings and recommendations. The UAE will moderate this strategic platform, reaffirming its pivotal role in advancing the professional development of nursing across the region. This role highlights the country’s capacity to shape the future direction of the profession in line with global health system transformation requirements and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).