Global Women's Forum Dubai to host interactive panel discussions to drive awareness of health and wellness for women in the MENA region

Dubai, 15th February, 2016 (WAM) - Leading heart surgeon and health expert, Dr. Oz - discussing for the first time in the region, insights into the healthcare industry and overcoming challenges to lead a long and healthy life - will feature as a key panellist during the '80 is the new 50' plenary session at Global Women's Forum Dubai, taking place next week. Co-organised by Dubai Women Establishment and the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, Global Women's Forum Dubai will take place on 23-24 February 2016 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and led by H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and President of Dubai Women Establishment. As a world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Oz is Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University and directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. He performs more than 100 heart surgeries per year and his research interests include heart replacement surgery, minimally invasive surgery, alternative medicine and health care policy. Dr. Oz is also a leading health professional on TV and radio, hosting the three-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning "The Dr. Oz Show" and was previously featured as a health expert on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for six seasons, spanning over 60 episodes. Dr. Oz received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and obtained a joint MD and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School. He has also authored over 400 original publications, book chapters, and medical books and has a regular column in the Oprah Magazine and Time. Dr. Oz has been named as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People and a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum, where he has featured as a key speaker. During the '80 is the new 50' plenary, one of the five key panel discussions taking place at Global Women's Forum Dubai, Dr. Oz - along with an esteemed panel of health experts - will address the life expectancy of women and how women are living longer, even ahead of men. Discussions will take place on how women can live better for longer and Dr. Oz will focus on how to change and adjust modern lifestyles to control health issues and highlight a number of medical insights to live a long, active and healthy life. He will discuss how the healthcare industry is rapidly changing with the digital landscape and share new innovative approaches and techniques to better benefit women's health and wellness as they connect with their communities in the MENA region. Dr. Oz will be exploring five key adjustments that control 70% of how we age, tackling these during the plenary through the fundamental medical insights he gained from working with Oprah and on his own show over the past 15 years. In line with his firm belief that the best way to live longer is to give your heart a reason to keep beating, Dr. Oz is keen to provide participants at Global Women's Forum Dubai with actionable and practical tips for their friends and family. Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment (DWE) said: "Inviting Dr. Oz as a key panellist on our '80 is the new 50' plenary was motivated by our belief to inspire the larger community and particularly women in the region to pursue better health. Dr. Oz brings a wealth of relevant expertise and medical insights and we are excited to bring him to the region for the first time to hear about his innovative ways and practical knowledge to achieve a healthier and longer life - strengthening the power of knowledge and influence of Emirati women - and we very much look forward to welcoming him to Dubai." She continued: "Our program at Global Women's Forum Dubai draws upon five agenda streams - Achieving, Creating, Giving, Energizing and Sustaining - each with an opportunity to showcase the UAE as a leading nation in cross-sector innovation and women's achievement. At the very foundation of these streams is the importance of our women's health and wellbeing which is a key component to living a full and happy life, contributing to our wise leadership's vision to make the UAE the happiest of all nations." Expected to attract more than 2,000 participants and 200 speakers and international delegates, Global Women's Forum Dubai will bring together leaders from around the world - women and men - with the aim of considering new perspectives for today and tomorrow; creating a powerful, global network capable of boosting the influence of women throughout the world; conceiving innovative and concrete action plans to encourage women's contribution to society; and promoting diversity in the business world. Building on the theme "Let's Innovate!", Global Women's Forum Dubai will explore what innovation really means in today's technology-focused era. The event will address women's sustainable role in this revolutionary world, with the aim of strengthening the influence of women globally, maximising their contribution to socio-economic development, and inspiring future generations of women to actively participate in nation-building. Global Women's Forum Dubai will build on the theme of innovation through five key pillars, Achieving, Creating, Giving, Energising and Sustaining, addressing the sustainable role of women in innovation and building long-lasting networks designed to empower societies through women's participation. CEO Champions, a Women's Forum for the Economy & Society initiative launched in 2010 to drive progress and accountability for women's advancement in the private and public sectors, will also be part of Global Women's Forum Dubai 2016, in addition to other key Women's Forum initiatives such as Rising Talents, Women in Media, and the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards. An official delegation of business and government leaders from Scandinavia will also be guests of honour at Global Women's Forum Dubai. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395291638973.html