Al Shifaa Summit returns to explore the future of integrative medicine

The convergence of ancient healing traditions with contemporary scientific rigour has long been the province of those sufficiently discerning to recognise that wellness exists beyond singular disciplines. This October, Abu Dhabi becomes the stage for precisely such convergence, when the UAE Integrative Medicine Council convenes the second edition of Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

Held from 20 to 22 October 2026, the summit forms part of Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, which operates under the guiding principle To Sense is to Predict. Within this intellectual framework, Al Shifaa Summit creates dedicated space for the examination of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine practices, positioning inherited knowledge alongside empirical evidence and considering how these fields may advance with integrity and responsibility.

The gathering reflects a measured approach to a field that has long attracted both passionate advocates and rigorous sceptics. Rather than seeking to diminish either perspective, the summit instead invites policymakers, healthcare leaders, practitioners, researchers, academics and innovators from across the globe to exchange knowledge, examine established approaches and identify opportunities for collaborative research, education and innovation.

A platform for rigorous dialogue

Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, articulates the underlying commitment: integrative medicine draws upon knowledge rooted in diverse traditions and disciplines, yet this plurality must be underscored by dedication to scientific evidence and the highest standards of quality and safety. Al Shifaa Summit creates the conditions for such dialogue to flourish.

The 2026 programme traces the evolution of integrative medicine from its traditional foundations through to contemporary research, education, innovation and clinical application. Four key areas structure the research and innovation programme: higher education and training; research and clinical evidence; applied innovation and solutions; and the intersection of innovation, artificial intelligence and the future trajectory of integrative medicine.

Building on the success of the inaugural summit, which drew more than 25 experts from across the field, this second edition promises a more expansive exploration of the connections and shared priorities that bind this diverse ecosystem. By convening such breadth of expertise, the summit contributes not merely to regional dialogue but to international discussion on how integrative medicine may develop responsibly, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre for collaborative inquiry in healthcare innovation.

Registration for Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine 2026 is open to healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, academics, practitioners and members of the wider community with interest in the field.

Imagery courtesy of UAE Integrative Medicine Council.