UAE and South Korea Explore Medical Cooperation in Radiation Oncology

UAE and South Korea

UAE and South Korea Explore Medical Cooperation in Radiation Oncology

The "K-Medical in UAE 2025" symposium took place today in Abu Dhabi, jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), under the theme "New Horizons in Radiation Therapy: Particle Beam Therapy". The event brought together a wide range of international specialists and experts in the field of radiation oncology and was held at Le Royal Meridien Hotel.

This symposium aimed to deepen scientific and clinical cooperation between the UAE and South Korea, and to strengthen academic exchange focused on the latest technologies in radiation therapy, particularly proton therapy and carbon ion therapy. The initiative comes in response to the growing global demand for advanced medical solutions to tackle the challenges of cancer.

In the opening speech, Park Jung-kyung, Minister-Counselor and Consul General of the Republic of Korea in the UAE, highlighted statistics from the World Health Organization showing over 20 million cancer diagnoses globally each year, with 10 million resulting in death. These numbers are projected to rise to over 35 million cases annually within the next 25 years — underscoring the urgent need for enhanced global cooperation in both cancer prevention and treatment.

Park emphasized that cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in both South Korea and the UAE, calling for united scientific and medical efforts to address this shared health challenge.

He also noted that South Korea is at the forefront of radiation therapy innovation, applying the latest technologies such as proton and carbon ion therapy. Meanwhile, the UAE is making steady progress in upgrading its healthcare infrastructure, including integrating heavy ion accelerators into its medical system, in pursuit of a sustainable and cancer-free future for its citizens.

Park further highlighted the strong strategic partnership between South Korea and the UAE — a relationship that began with the Barakah nuclear power plant project in 2009 and has since expanded to include nuclear energy, conventional energy, defense, and investment. He expressed hope that this solid cooperation would extend into the vital healthcare sector, which holds high priority for the leadership of both countries.

The symposium featured three specialized sessions:

1. Introduction to Radiation Therapy

2. Proton Therapy

3. Carbon Ion Therapy

Each session included interactive scientific discussions led by international speakers and domain experts.