Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the GulfThoracic Congress 2017, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you all, to participate in this international congress, which will be held in Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, UAE on 15-18 March 2017.

The GulfThoracic Congress 2017 is the eighth joint meeting of the Saudi Thoracic Society (STS) and the Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society (EARS), in collaboration with the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS). With special participation from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, USA, The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, UK, and Saudi Society for Respiratory Care (SSRC).

Once again, the Scientific Committee is planning a very comprehensive program catering for all specialties of Pulmonary/ Thoracic Medicine that will deliver state of the art lectures, update presentations, postgraduate courses, workshops, panel discussions, interactive sessions, and research abstract presentations. The program covers all fields related to Thoracic Medicine including but not limited to Asthma/ Allergy & immunology, Pulmonary Hypertension, Critical Care Medicine, Lung Cancer, Pulmonary Infections, Thoracic Imaging, Sleep Medicine, Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Oncology, Respiratory Care, Interstitial Lung Diseases, COPD, Interventional Bronchoscopy, and Pediatric Pulmonology.

The GT2017 will be featuring a special program on Pulmonology for Family Medicine & Primary Care Physicians covering all common respiratory problems commonly seen first by the Family Medicine/ Primary Care physicians.

Also, due to the great success of the 1st Medical Students Forum, GT2017 will once again include the MSF2017 with yet another very innovative program and workshops catering for medical students.

The pharmaceutical Industry is also committed in their support of our congress that will host a large exhibit area and many attractive opportunities to share their products and knowledge with the attendees.

Like last year, the Organizing Committee is working hard to make this event a stimulating occasion both scientifically and socially. Undoubtedly, it will be a great opportunity to see other colleagues and friends and to benefit from the wide spectrum of medical topics to be discussed in this congress.

We will meet you in the glamorous city of Dubai, a fast growing beautiful city with many attractions and rich heritage.

For these reasons, we look forward to seeing you in this congress, so please mark your calendar and plan to join us. Your early registration will ensure that you get a lower registration fee and regular updates and information.

My thanks go to everybody who participated in the work for this congress appreciating their dedication, enthusiasm and perseverance to make our congress a great success.

With my best regards,