A high-level delegation led by the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, has embarked on a strategic mission to the US from June 14 to 21. The visit reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in healthcare innovation and reflects its broader vision for healthcare transformation — driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration.

The delegation is visiting key US cities including Boston, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi’s participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world’s foremost biotechnology events. The visit spotlights the emirate’s achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research and showcases Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global innovators.

Dr. Noura Khamis Al-Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, said: “This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the US to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.”

The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the US, aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions.

Representing Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, the delegation includes key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo.

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Energy and Water Company has been named first runner-up in the Innovative Research and Development Award (International Institutions category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Water Award. The company was recognized for pioneering membrane-based crystallization technology that enables high-efficiency freshwater recovery and mineral extraction from brine.

Held under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives and supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation, the $1-million-award supports research institutions developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address global water scarcity through renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The NEOM-developed system replaces traditional energy-intensive thermal evaporation with a membrane-based approach. Using forward-osmosis principles and specially engineered membranes, the technology enables the extraction of valuable minerals such as salt, lithium and bromine, while simultaneously recovering desalinated water from seawater or brackish brine. The system operates at just 7 kWh per cubic meter, compared to 75-80 kWh/ cubic meters in conventional thermal systems.

The process begins with standard seawater reverse osmosis, where chemically embedded membranes capture more than 99 percent of targeted minerals. The brine then passes through a two-stage brackish water reverse-osmosis system that isolates and concentrates the minerals to a purity of 99.5 percent or more.

The pilot plant, located at the Duba Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia, operates at a capacity of 1,200 cubic meters per day and has demonstrated strong performance under real-world conditions, with a technology readiness level of six. Beyond reducing environmental impact and operating costs, the innovation has the potential to redefine the economics of desalination by enabling mineral recovery at scale.

“The global water crisis threatens health, food security and economic development. By investing in advanced water technologies and fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector and innovators, we can find effective, sustainable solutions for billions affected,” said Dr. Noura Chehab, head of the research and innovation team at the NEOM Water Innovation Center.

“Receiving this award recognizes our team’s years of work and inspires us to continue advancing technologies that enhance ocean water use and help solve critical water challenges for a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Nikolay Voutchkov, executive director of the NEOM Water Innovation Center.