Top leaders from ICCIDD Dr. Jerry Burrow, chairman, Dr. Michael Zimmermann, executive director, and Treasurer Dan Levac, joined by ICCIDD regional coordinator Dr. Izzeldin Al Sharief, participated in a seminar in Dubai and predicted that the United Arab Emirates will soon be declared iodine deficiency free, WAM, the Emirates news agency reported December 21. Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, a key leader of the anti-IDD program credited the UAE's "clear health strategic plans aimed at human health as they represent the cornerstone of the nation's development and progress."

This was announced during the seminar which was organized by the health policies sector in the Ministry under the patronage of Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and acting Minister of Health, in Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai, to review the activities of the national program for the control of iodine deficiency disorders.