Region’s first World Congress of Bioethics inaugurated in Doha

Doha: Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF) H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attended the inauguration of the 17th World Congress of Bioethics in Doha yest...

Doha: Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF) H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser attended the inauguration of the 17th World Congress of Bioethics in Doha yesterday, the first edition of this touchstone event to be held in the Arab World.

The Congress being held from June 3 to 6 at the Qatar National Convention Centre is organised by Hamad Bin Khalifa University's Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE) and the World Innovation Summit for Health, the global health initiative of Qatar Foundation. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Religion, Culture and Global Bioethics’.

HBKU President Dr. Ahmad M Hasnah, in his opening remarks, said, “It is important to highlight that the main challenge facing humanity has been [always] the ethical challenge. Whether in science, medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) or global politics, we live in a very dynamic world. Ethical challenges are rising on multiple fronts and dimensions and are impacting humanity. Not a single point of view, philosophy or approach should be the subject of ethical discussions and policy formulations.

“A more comprehensive multi-view discussion needs to be adopted. We at Hamad Bin Khalifa University believe that no voice be left out and discussion around bioethics must have all voices around the table and that different perspectives have equal rights. We have worked hard to achieve a more inclusive event, welcoming different voices and diverse approaches, besides the usual dominant perspective, to provide opportunities for the underrepresented voices from Asia, Africa and South America.  The support of the university made it possible for a sizable participation in this edition from underprivileged countries.”

Sultana Afdhal, WISH CEO and co-chair of the event, said: “We are delighted to see months of hard work come to fruition as we witness the gathering of the world’s most renowned bioethicists and scholars in Qatar for this very special 17th edition of the World Congress of Bioethics."