A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was drafted on Oct 12^th, 2017 in Cairo Egypt, between the Gulf Obesity Surgery Society (GOSS), Pan Arab Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (PASMBS), National Bariatric Societies of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Pakistan.

This MOU established a new joint society named the Middle East North Africa Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Society (MENA MBSS). The purpose of MENA MBSS is to unite the efforts of GOSS, PASMBS, and the national societies of UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Pakistan and work together forming the new IFSO MENA Chapter.

The IFSO General Council approved the creation of the MENAC on November 13^th2017.

Formal elections to appoint the Executive Board and Officers of the MENAC were held in Dubai in December 2017.

IFSO has also produced a number of guidelines and is committed to the creation of a system for accreditation of individual surgeons and bariatric centers around the globe. The main goal of IFSO is the optimization of the treatment of patients with severe obesity.