Dubai, UAE: 4 July 2024 – The United Arab a is set to host the Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) annual meetings for the first time. The meetings will take place in Dubai from July 13-18 under the theme ‘Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future.’ Representatives from 68 national accreditation bodies will participate in the prestigious event, in addition to specialists in the field of accreditation and conformity assessment from across the Asia-Pacific region. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s (MoIAT) Emirates National Accreditation System (ENAS), the Emirates International Accreditation Center (EIAC) and the GCC Accreditation Center (GAC) are collaborating to host the event. It will include technical committee meetings to review the latest developments in international best practices in the field of accreditation and conformity assessment. The APAC annual meetings provide a crucial platform for member bodies to discuss and coordinate efforts on key accreditation issues, share best practices, and work towards mutual recognition arrangements that facilitate international trade and cooperation. The meetings will include discussions on enhancing the effectiveness of accreditation processes, fostering international cooperation, and exploring innovations in quality assurance and standards. By hosting these meetings, the UAE aims to showcase its robust accreditation infrastructure and its dedication to excellence in quality and standardization. APAC was established in 2019 following a merger of two regional organizations, the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC). The organization is focused on promoting mutual recognition of conformity assessments, which helps facilitate trade and enhances trust in the products and services of member states. His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming meetings: “Hosting the APAC annual meetings is a significant milestone and demonstrates our commitment to advancing global standards in accreditation. We look forward to welcoming our international colleagues and fostering a collaborative environment that will contribute to the development of robust accreditation systems worldwide.” Strategic alignment Hosting the APAC meetings aligns with the UAE’s broader strategic goals of becoming a global hub for industry and innovation, underpinned by a strong foundation of quality assurance and standards. The outcomes of these meetings are expected to have a lasting impact on the accreditation landscape, promoting greater harmonization among member bodies within the Asia- Pacific region. The meetings will also provide an opportunity to unify the efforts of GAC, EIAC and ENAS to strengthen accreditation practices and recognize conformity assessments from other parts of the region and beyond.