The Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR) Annual Meeting 2026 takes place from 20 to 22 November 2026 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, United Arab Emirates. Organised under the Emirates Medical Association, the meeting is the society's flagship scientific gathering and reflects its overarching goal: to elevate the standard of rheumatologic care across the UAE through collaboration, innovation and education.
The meeting brings together rheumatologists, internists, paediatric rheumatologists, trainees, nurses and allied professionals from the UAE, the wider Gulf region and internationally. Previous editions attracted more than 200 attendees, over 30 speakers across different rheumatology specialties, and more than ten industry partners representing diverse areas of the field.
In her welcome message, ESR President Dr. Shamma Al Nokhatha highlights the society's proud history and its ongoing commitment to advancing rheumatology in the region, thanking the ESR Board and Scientific Committee as well as industry colleagues who support the meeting and many rheumatology units across the country.
Scientific program at a glance (as of 30 September 2026, subject to change):
- Day 1 — Friday, 20 November: Parallel hands-on workshops and a dedicated Sjögren's Symposium
- Day 2 — Saturday, 21 November: Main Conference Day 1 with parallel tracks in Adult Rheumatology and Pediatric Rheumatology
- Day 3 — Sunday, 22 November: Main Conference Day 2, Adult Rheumatology
Expect state-of-the-art updates on inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue diseases, vasculitis, autoimmune and paediatric rheumatic conditions, alongside case-based discussion, research presentations and an industry exhibition.
Call for abstracts: abstract submission for 2026 is now closed. Notifications of acceptance are being sent by email from Monday, 12 October 2026, and accepted abstracts will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Abstract enquiries: abstracts@esr.ae.
Registration is open online, and international delegates can use the UAE visa application service on the official website. The invited speaker faculty will be announced on the meeting website.
Organising secretariat: K.I.T. Group Middle East FZ LLC, Yas Creative Hub, Abu Dhabi — info@esr.ae, +971 2 245 00 57.
