The 5th MENA Congress for Rare Diseases 2026 will take place from 3 to 5 September 2026 at Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The MENA Congress for Rare Diseases has become a landmark event dedicated to rare diseases and providing comprehensive coverage including modern diagnostics, novel therapies, supportive management, clinical research, social challenges, and patient advocacy for rare diseases. It is the largest event for rare diseases in the region which typically includes 40 to 50 sessions focusing on variable aspects related to rare diseases and including presentations, panel discussions, and workshops delivered by more than 150 speakers, including more than 50 international experts coming from more than 20 different countries. In addition, the congress hosts more than 10 satellite symposia discussing topics related to rare diseases.
The congress is usually attended by more than 1,000 participants with approximately 20% of attendees from outside UAE coming from more than 50 countries. The presentations usually receive very high evaluations with more than 95% of the attendees scoring the presentations as above average. The congress also receives high-quality scientific abstracts related to different aspects of rare diseases. These abstracts are presented as posters during the congress, and the top abstracts are awarded and presented as oral presentations.
The congress receives the support of more than 50 scientific partners including universities, advocacy groups, and associations and organizations supporting rare diseases. In addition, it receives marketing support from more than 30 media partners and is covered by key media and news outlets during and after the meetings including WAM (the Emirates News Agency), Aletihad, and Albayan. Furthermore, the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Rare Diseases is distributed during the opening session of the congress for international and UAE organizations, clinicians, scientists, and advocates with distinguished accomplishments supporting rare diseases.
