Dubai is set to host the 19th World Congress of Neurosurgery in 2025, bringing one of the most prestigious congresses in the medical field to the Middle East for the first time. The awarding of the event to Dubai follows a successful bid led by the Emirates Society of Neurological Surgeons, and supported by Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Set to take place under the theme ‘Connecting the Neurosurgical World’, the congress is the flagship event of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS), and is typically held every two years. Dubai will welcome approximately 4,000 delegates for the event, set to take place during the 1 Dec to 4 Dec 2025, including key opinion leaders from the industry, innovators and changemakers.
The decision by WFNS to award the event to Dubai highlights its rapid growth as a host for international association conferences and congresses, and builds on the city’s status as the highest ranked destination in the Middle East for the number of association events hosted, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “The decision by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies to bring this prestigious event to Dubai is a testament to the evolution of our knowledge economy, driven by the city’s visionary leadership. It also further highlights the platform that Dubai is able to provide to associations around the world for sharing knowledge, networking, and professional development. Business events continue to be important catalysts for Dubai’s development, driving economic growth and powering key sectors, including healthcare and medical sciences. The congress will attract luminaries from the field of neuroscience as well as business leaders and innovators, pushing Dubai to the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.”
Dubai’s focus on attracting more business events is closely tied to wider Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy in the decade up to 2033, and consolidate its position as a leading global city for business and leisure.