The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), a leading gathering of international leaders in the USD 6.3 trillion global wellness economy, has announced that its 19th annual conference will take place in Abu Dhabi from November 18-21, 2025, at the iconic Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.

In a press statement, GWS says that this milestone event is being held through a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Investment Gate (ADIG) and Shura Global Consultancy (SGC) and with support from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Collaborations with Shura Global Consultancy and Abu Dhabi Investment Gate will play a major role in delivering the largest, most ambitious summit to date, it adds.

Bringing together government leaders and industry visionaries, the 2025 Global Wellness Summit will solidify Abu Dhabi’s position as a prominent global wellness hub, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. This year’s Summit will introduce new platforms for collaboration and investment, and transformative ideas that will shape the future of the wellness economy worldwide, says the statement.

Susie Ellis

The Middle East’s wellness economy has been one of the recent global growth leaders, with the UAE playing a pivotal role as the largest market in the region. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the UAE’s wellness economy reached USD 34 billion in 2023, contributing approximately 5.5 pc to the national GDP and affirming its leading and collaborative role in the global wellness industry.

“We are thrilled to partner with Abu Dhabi Investment Gate and Shura Global Consultancy to bring this prestigious event to the UAE. Abu Dhabi is a natural choice to host our most ambitious Summit to date, and we look forward to giving delegates the opportunity to experience the rich landscape of the UAE, a country that has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty, pioneering preventative health and wellness solutions, and new luxury destinations,” says Susie Ellis, Chair and CEO, GWS.

The statement adds that the region’s momentum in wellness is so eye-opening that the GWS named ‘The Middle East’s Wellness Ambitions’ as one of its top 10wellness trends for 2025, detailing how the region is blending cultural heritage with powerful investment in preventative healthcare, sports, and wellness infrastructure and tourism, creating the newest world hub for wellbeing.

Saeed Al Meqbali

The statement adds that Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision to become a center of excellence for wellness, sustainability, and innovation is reflected in major developments. One such measure is the highly-anticipated SHA Emirates, that is set to open in 2026 as the world’s first “healthy living island” integrating AI-driven wellness solutions.

The statement adds that the continued expansion of world-class wellness and longevity innovation hubs, including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Kintsugi Space, the region’s first women-only holistic wellness club.  The development of innovative wellness real estate communities such as Saadiyat Grove, which will bring a new standard of integrated wellbeing to the region.

Mohamed Yousef Almadfaei

“Bringing the Summit to Abu Dhabi is an unparalleled opportunity to showcase our nation’s leadership in innovation-driven wellness initiatives, and the Summit will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, sharing experiences and establishing cross-sector partnerships,” says Saeed Al Meqbali, Chairman of ADIG.

“The wellness economy is a fundamental pillar of the UAE’s economic and social development. The partnership between GWS, SGC and ADIG will work towards achieving our leadership vision and objective of positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for the future of wellness technologies and products,” says Mohamed Yousef Almadfaei, Founder and Chairman of Shura Global Consultancy.

The 2025 Global Wellness Summit will feature an unrivalled lineup of global thought leaders, in-depth discussions on emerging health and wellness trends, and groundbreaking solutions that will define the future of wellness. The expanded Innovation Lab will offer an exclusive look into the most promising advancements in the field, featuring cutting-edge startups and industry disruptors.