The Emirates Occupational Therapy Working Group (EOTWG) is proud to share key developments during our first full year as an officially established professional body in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the Emirates Medical Association (EMA) on 7 November 2024. Over the past year, EOTWG has focused on strengthening the professional identity of occupational therapy in the UAE through advocacy, education, collaboration and community.
Strengthening our foundation and professional identity
The UAE is known for its rapid development, diversity and constant movement. It is home to a highly multicultural and transient healthcare workforce, and occupational therapists practicing across the country come from varied training backgrounds and professional cultures, which enriches the profession but has historically presented challenges in creating a unified professional voice.
Prior to the formation of EOTWG there was not a shared platform dedicated for professional representation, peer support or collaboration among occupational therapists in the UAE. Many clinicians were working independently and, in some ways, competitively without true representation.
The establishment of EOTWG under the Emirates Medical Association represents an important step toward national recognition of occupational therapy as a distinct profession within the UAE healthcare landscape. By providing a formal professional platform, EOTWG has enabled occupational therapists across the country to connect, collaborate, and advocate collectively for the profession.
Membership has grown steadily to 73 occupational therapists across the seven emirates, reflecting increasing engagement among practitioners and growing recognition of the value of professional collaboration.
Another significant milestone was achieved when EOTWG was formally admitted as an Associate Member of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). The application was endorsed by the WFOT General Assembly on 7 February 2026, further strengthening the profession’s international visibility and connection to the global occupational therapy community.
Together, these two developments represent an important step in supporting the development of a cohesive professional identity for occupational therapists practicing in the UAE. For a workforce composed largely of internationally trained clinicians, alignment with both national structures and global professional standards helps foster shared values, professional dialogue, and collective advancement of the profession.
Governance, Collaboration, and Strategic Structure
Throughout 2025, EOTWG established a structured governance framework supported by several volunteer committees, including the Governing Board, Scientific Committee, Social Committee, and Advocacy Committee. These committees play a key role in guiding strategic priorities, organising professional activities, and supporting alignment with WFOT standards.
EOTWG has also prioritized collaboration with national and regional partners. Partnerships were strengthened with organizations including the Emirates Medical Association, the Arab Occupational Therapy Regional Group, Batterjee Medical College, and several healthcare and academic institutions across the UAE.
In addition, EOTWG recently engaged with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to support the development of the Scope of Practice for Occupational Therapists, contributing professional perspectives to regulatory discussions.
Scientific, Educational, and Community Impact
Professional education and knowledge exchange were central to EOTWG’s activities throughout 2025. A range of scientific initiatives were organised to support evidence-based practice and foster professional dialogue within the occupational therapy community. These included:
• Journal clubs and face to face workshops: covering topics such as healthcare burnout prevention, self-regulation, story massage, transitioning to adult services, CO OP, DIR floor time and paediatric feeding disorders,etc.
• The first EOTWG Annual Conference: Occupational Therapy in the UAE: Innovation, Collaboration and Growth, held on 22 November 2025, brought together around 100 participants from across the UAE and the world.
In addition to scientific activities, EOTWG organised several community and networking events, including an Iftar gathering during Ramadan, family bowling event, and a pre-conference networking dinner. These initiatives have helped strengthen relationships among occupational therapists and foster a sense of professional community.
EOTWG has also expanded its digital presence, using LinkedIn and Instagram to share professional resources, promote events, and increase public awareness of occupational therapy in the UAE.
Vision for 2026 and beyond
Building on the momentum of its first year, EOTWG has set priorities for the coming year. These include expanding membership across the UAE, strengthening advocacy with national stakeholders and regulatory bodies to enhance service coverage and public awareness, increasing opportunities for professional development through workshops, seminars and conferences, and promoting research and knowledge exchange locally and internationally. EOTWG also aims to continue developing its organisational structure within the Emirates Medical Association while strengthening collaboration with WFOT and the wider global occupational therapy community.
The progress achieved during 2025 reflects the power of collective professional engagement. What began as individual practitioners seeking connection and representation has evolved into a growing professional community built on shared purpose and belonging.
EOTWG remains committed to advancing occupational therapy in the UAE through collaboration, education, and advocacy. With a strong national foundation and new international recognition, EOTWG looks forward to continuing to elevate the profession locally while contributing to the global occupational therapy community.