Representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in the UAE were in attendance at a meeting where the Higher Organising Committee of IDEX/NAVDEX 2019 presented a precursor on what to expect at this year’s event, being held 17-21 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Delivering the key note address was His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Higher Organising Committee. Also on hand to make short presentations were Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi, Vice Chairman of the Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX; Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and its subsidiaries; and several committee heads.

The meeting included an explanation of the historical development of both exhibitions and their roles in providing an international platform for advanced defence industries and innovative technological solutions. In addition, the International Defence Conference 2019 will be held 14-16 February at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, bringing with it global forums for experts and decision-makers, military leaders and senior officials and defence industry executives to serve international peace, security and stability.

His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei said: "The distinguished diplomatic presence of the meeting reflects the prestigious international position that UAE enjoys, thanks to the insights of our wise visionary leadership, and the pivotal role of the UAE in the region and the world."

He added: “IDEX, a biennial event held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, will receive exceptional regard not only because it coincides with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of its first launch in 1993, but also because the exhibition presents a tremendous opportunity to manufacturers, defence and technology companies to showcase their latest products. This year’s exhibition theme of examining defence and security issues in the Fourth Industrial Revolution are consistent with the growing global trend of using artificial intelligence, considering the increasingly talk about ‘Artificial Intelligence Weapons’ that can far exceed the capabilities of conventional and non-conventional weapons. Defence and security experts anticipate that AI weapons will be the main factor in resolving military superiority in future’s wars and conflicts”.

His Excellency emphasised that IDEX/NAVDEX 2019 will represent an important phase in the development of the exhibition since its inception as the biggest and largest edition in its history, both in terms of the number of participating countries and companies, and in terms of the number of military delegations chaired by defence ministers or chiefs of staff and commanders of naval forces of friendly countries.

His Excellency also pointed out that the International Defense Conference, associated with IDEX/NAFDEX 2019, will provide an important international platform to highlight scientific theories and modern strategic defense and security trends that will contribute to the development of a road map on how to deal with the various challenges poised to threaten peace and security at regional and international levels.

For his part, Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and its subsidiaries, said: “IDEX represents a great success story for ADNEC and business tourism sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and UAE, and it has become a platform for innovation and creativity in the defence industry at the regional and international levels”.

Al Dhaheri added that ADNEC is currently coordinating with various partners in the public and private sectors to finalise the preparations of hosting the largest edition in the history of the two exhibitions in a suitable manner for the reputation and prestige of the emirate.