Global nutrition experts gather in Dubai to discuss challenges in clinical and therapeutic nutrition.
Sheikha Shamsa bint Hasher Al Maktoum, General Supervisor of Women’s Sports at Al Wasl Club, inaugurated the fourth edition of Middle Eastern Alliance for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Congress (MEAPEN 2025) today at the Intercontinental Festival City.
The congress brings together a distinguished gathering of healthcare professionals from the region and around the world. As a leading scientific platform, MEAPEN 2025 unites a select group of physicians, clinical nutritionists, nurses, and experts in therapeutic nutrition under one roof. The event aims to foster knowledge exchange and highlight the latest innovations and advancements in clinical nutrition and specialized nutritional support.
Over 600 participants, including healthcare professionals, are expected to attend the congress, where they will witness more than 70 expert speakers in 16 scientific sessions.
MEAPEN will also feature more than 20 participating companies and 50 poster presentations that display the latest scientific breakthroughs. Delegates will also receive 28 CME credits from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Dr. Wafaa Ayesh, Chairperson, MEAPEN; Vice President, ASPCN and Consultant Clinical Dietician from UAE stated: “We are proud to see this specialized scientific event continuing for the fourth consecutive year. MEAPEN has evolved into a key platform that brings together leading experts and practitioners in clinical nutrition and healthcare from around the world. It offers an exceptional opportunity to exchange knowledge and explore the latest research trends and clinical applications that contribute to improving patient outcomes and enhancing the effectiveness of medical care through specialized nutrition”.
She added: “This year, we were keen to ensure that the scientific program is both comprehensive and diverse, responding to the needs of practitioners while addressing the ever-changing healthcare landscape. Particular focus has been given to key areas such as oncology nutrition, immunonutrition, and rare metabolic disorders, along with special attention to vulnerable age groups such as neonates and the elderly.”
She also emphasized the importance of collaboration with scientific organizations, stating: “Collaborating with leading regional and international scientific societies, as well as partnering with prominent academic and healthcare institutions, reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing clinical nutrition practices in the Middle East and further establishing Dubai as a regional hub for hosting high-level medical conferences.”
The scientific program of MEAPEN 2025 marks a significant leap forward this year, offering a comprehensive exploration of advanced topics and emerging global trends in clinical nutrition. This year’s agenda delves into cutting-edge strategies for adult parenteral nutrition, while also reviewing international best practices and emphasizing the importance of tailoring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) formulations—both macro- and micronutrients—to meet individual patient needs.
The program further highlights the clinical value of MCT-based nutritional approaches in managing gastrointestinal and lymphatic disorders, alongside the evolving role of nutritional “prints” in maternal and infant health. Emergency nutritional protocols for gastrointestinal surgeries are also under the spotlight, in addition to specialized dietary management of inborn errors of metabolism—conditions that continue to challenge clinicians worldwide.
Other critical discussions include feeding intolerance in neonates, the clinical implications of lean body mass depletion in cancer patients, and the role of immunonutrition in enhancing treatment response and reducing toxicity in cancer therapies.
Adding further depth, the conference features satellite symposia addressing the impact of treatment protocols on nutritional outcomes, the growing needs of the rapidly aging population in the Middle East, and the essential role of therapeutic nutrition in supporting oncology care. Together, these sessions provide a rich and multidimensional platform for advancing knowledge, clinical practice, and collaborative care in the field of medical nutrition.
Moreover, the scientific sessions addressed a range of advanced and important topics in therapeutic nutrition and specialized nutritional support. The sessions focused on the latest strategies in patient nutrition, covering areas such as nutrition in chronic liver disease, which presents significant challenges in managing the health of patients. The sessions also discussed modern alternatives to lipid emulsions in parenteral nutrition, alongside the importance of managing cow’s milk protein allergy in various clinical scenarios. Additionally, the conference highlighted the components of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in adults, emphasizing the need to tailor these based on the individual nutritional requirements of patients. These topics reflect global trends and the challenges faced by specialists in clinical nutrition, contributing to a deeper understanding of how therapeutic nutrition can improve treatment outcomes.
MEAPEN 2025 is organized by the INDEX Conference and Exhibitions Org. LLC., a member of INDEX Holding and is supported by American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), Dubai Business Events, Oman Ministry of Health, Arab Society of Pediatric Clinical Nutrition (ASPCN), Kayl Association for Combating Obesity, Palestinian Dietitians Syndicate, Egyptian society of Parentral and Enteral Nutrition (EgSPEN), Oman Nutrition and Dietetics Society, The Middle Easter Association of Nutrition and Obesity Medicine, University of Sharjah, Lebanese Order of Dietitians.
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