Photo Credit: WAM
The UAE Ministry of Defence has confirmed the scientific programme and opened registration for the 46th ICMM World Congress of Military Medicine – Abu Dhabi 2026, which will take place from 9 to 13 November 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The congress is being organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with ADNEC Group under the supervision of the International Committee of Military Medicine, bringing together military and civilian healthcare specialists from around the world.
Organisers expect the event to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 300 speakers representing more than 40 medical and healthcare disciplines.
Medical leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, academics, students and industry representatives have been invited to register for the congress and take part in scientific sessions, professional workshops, practical training activities and networking opportunities.
Broad Scientific Programme
The confirmed scientific programme will address a wide range of subjects related to military medicine, healthcare preparedness and emergency response.
Key areas will include Force Health Protection and Individual Medical Readiness, surgical care, trauma and burns, mental health and resilience, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, health and performance, aeromedical evacuation and medical support.
The congress will also cover veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, paramedicine, pharmacy, military medical management and logistics, disaster medicine, space medicine, telemedicine, decision support, humanitarian response and civil-military medical cooperation.
Keynote sessions will examine global health diplomacy and strategic partnerships, the role of healthcare in strengthening national resilience, and closer integration between military and civilian healthcare systems.
Speakers will also explore strategic innovation, artificial intelligence in medicine and preparedness for future pandemics based on lessons learned from previous global health emergencies.
Other areas of focus will include digital health, global health, diagnostic innovation, laboratory medicine, medical education and training, as well as the growing application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, radiology and laboratory sciences.
Hands-On Military Medical Training
Alongside scientific discussions, the congress will feature focus groups, practical workshops and skills-transfer sessions designed to strengthen operational medical readiness.
Training areas will include decontamination and medical management of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear incidents, Mass Casualty Incident management, traumatic brain injuries and advanced trauma surgical skills.
Sessions will also cover Point-of-Care Ultrasound in field environments and Prolonged Casualty Care.
Additional practical activities will focus on CBRN response exercises, regional anaesthesia, blood transfusion, burn injury management and the fundamentals of Tactical Combat Casualty Care.
Organisers said the practical programme is intended to support the exchange of specialised expertise and give participants exposure to techniques relevant to military, emergency and disaster medicine.
International Speakers
The congress will bring together senior medical experts and specialists from military and civilian healthcare organisations worldwide.
Confirmed participants include Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings; Colonel Dr. Julian Williams, Director of Clinical Services at the Australian Army’s 2nd Health Brigade and an Emergency Medicine Physician at Queensland Health; and Colonel Dr. Bernd Klaubert, Senior Pharmacy Officer in the German Armed Forces.
Other speakers include Colonel Erik S. DeSoucy, Commander and Trauma Surgeon in the United States Air Force, and Rajeev Sadanandan, a member of the Technical Advisory Panel of the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund.
They will be joined by other international experts working across military medicine, emergency healthcare, public health and medical preparedness.
Exhibition to Feature Global Medical Technologies
An accompanying exhibition will form an important part of the five-day congress, featuring more than 60 exhibition platforms.
Healthcare organisations, technology companies and other institutions will use the exhibition to showcase medical solutions, technologies and innovations from international markets.
The exhibition will also provide opportunities for participating companies and organisations to establish partnerships and engage directly with medical leaders, experts and official delegations attending the congress.
By combining the exhibition with the scientific programme, organisers aim to create an integrated platform linking medical research, operational expertise, technology and healthcare innovation.
Global Military Medicine Platform
The ICMM World Congress of Military Medicine is held every two years under the auspices of the International Committee of Military Medicine.
The congress traces its history to 1921 and has developed into a major international platform connecting military and civilian healthcare professionals.
Representatives from around 120 countries participate in the wider ICMM community, bringing together medical leaders, researchers, specialists and practitioners working across military medicine and related healthcare disciplines.
The Abu Dhabi edition is being organised by the UAE Ministry of Defence in collaboration with ADNEC Group, with Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement participating as National Defence Enablement Partner.
Strategic partners include EDGE Group, M42, Burjeel Holdings, Mubadala Bio, PureHealth and Gulf Drug.
Organisers said the collaboration reflects efforts across the UAE’s defence, technology and healthcare sectors to strengthen medical readiness, advance healthcare systems and improve responses to evolving health and humanitarian challenges.
Hosting the congress in Abu Dhabi is also expected to reinforce the UAE’s position as an international centre for scientific cooperation and dialogue in both military and civilian medicine.
Registration is now open for delegates wishing to attend the congress and its accompanying exhibition.
