Dubai’s official status as host city for the Sixth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (HSR2020) was confirmed when Dr. Ali Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), was ceremoniously awarded the key to the symposium. Taking place in two years to coincide with Expo 2020, the event will mark the first time that the symposium has taken place in the Middle East.

Formally recognising Dubai’s role in staging the sixth edition of the symposium, the key hand-over ceremony was held in Liverpool, UK, at the close of HSR2018 – the symposium’s fifth edition. The key was given to Dr. Al Marri by representatives from organisers of the biennial event HSG, an international membership organisation dedicated to promoting health systems research and knowledge translation.

During the ceremony, the MBRSG leadership team extended its appreciation and gratitude to its collaborating partners Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce and the Faculty of Health Sciences’ ‘Knowledge to Policy’ (K2P) Centre at American University of Beirut, both of which provided significant input into helping Dubai with its bid to host the sixth edition of the symposium.

“We are delighted to be named as host partners for the Sixth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in a region where strengthening and advancing HPSR (health policy and systems research) and contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goals for health is much needed,” said His Excellency Dr. Ali Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President, MBRSG.

“HSR2020 is Dubai’s next global platform to discuss and exchange knowledge around health systems research, including concepts, frameworks, measures and methods. HSR2020 will be welcoming a host of academic researchers, policy-makers, funders, implementers and community stakeholders from regional and international organisations to discuss health research in a rapidly changing world,” he added.

Dr. Immanuel Azaad Moonesar RD, Assistant Professor of Health Policy, MBRSG, added: “We look forward to convening policymakers, researchers and practitioners from around the world who will come to our dynamic, global city to exchange new ideas and share valuable experiences. This is an unmissable opportunity to engage with institutions in the EMR that are involved in HPSR and policymaking and to bring them together at a unified platform, with the event taking on even greater significance coinciding as it does with Expo 2020.”

MBRSG is expected to welcome over 2,000 delegates over the course of its five days. Among the issues proposed for discussion are the impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies on the health research sector and maintaining confidentiality in a world where data is increasingly digitalised.