28 Feb UAE Ministry of Defence to host International Defence Industry, Technology and Security Conference
The UAE Ministry of Defence is to host the International Defence Industry, Technology and Security Conference (IDITSC), in Abu Dhabi in March 2022.
The IDITSC is the first conference covering this strategically important subject matter to be hosted in the Middle East. The conference will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on March 2nd and 3rd. Partners for the event include G42 and EDGE Group as well as ADNEC and Tawazun.
This conference is the first of its kind to be held in the Middle East, and will concentrate on advancements within the defence and technology sectors. It will convene leaders from the international defence industry, policymakers, leading technology researchers and academics as well as international DTS experts.
In total, over 70 UAE and international speakers are set to participate in the official programme, contributing to more than 55 sessions, workshops and seminars.
The conference will also offer an opportunity for university students and professionals to learn about the decision-making that frames international relations related to the governance of defence industries.
His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, said: ““International Defence Industry, Technology and Security Conference is an important gathering to host at this point in time given the state of the world from a defence, technological, geo-political, and socio-economic perspective.
“We are experiencing unprecedented changes to operating norms across all aspects of life, and for the UAE, hosting this event for the first time is set to raise global awareness among defence stakeholders and specialists that military hardware and technology imported by the UAE is being utilised in line with international rules, regulations, laws and procedures, as well as the UAE’s own rigorous domestic guidelines and policies.”
H.E. Al Bowardi continued: “As the UAE takes bold steps within the guidelines of The Principles of 50, the nation looks forward to working with all major players in the defence manufacturing sector from across the globe to consolidate strategic and security interests.
“Within the UAE, we are determined to achieve the strategic goals that have been set out by our enlightened leaders, both in the short-term as well as longer run, tailoring industrialisation to our own particular set of circumstances. Hence, this conference has been convened at an important time and will act as a leading international platform for the exchange of information and experiences between the delegations of the participating countries to enhance the system of international military cooperation. In so doing, participants will be better placed to help serve the consolidation of security, peace, and stability across the world.”
It is hoped that this event will help position the UAE as a defence market that guarantees confidentiality as well as preserving the intellectual property rights of manufacturers. As a result, it is hoped that this will exemplify the country’s position and build confidence in the nation as an important player in the global defence sector.
Commenting on the launch of this conference, His Excellency Major General Staff Dr. Eng. Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee said: “The UAE is following a steady path towards establishing tangible independent capabilities. This event will foster discussions on the development of defence technology innovation by attracting leaders from the sector, policy makers, researchers, academics, and security experts from around the world.
“There is no doubt that hosting and organising such content-driven events is a forward-looking opportunity to exchange ideas and visions with friends and counterparts about the future of defence, and how we can all cooperate more closely to develop the military industries sector globally in general and in the UAE in particular.”
Mansoor AlMansoori, Group Chief Operating Officer, G42 said: “G42 is honoured to be a sponsor of the International Defence Industry Technology and Security Conference. The global defence market is rapidly growing and evolving – and AI is a driving force behind the innovation we are witnessing. Countries around the world are seeing AI as critical – not only to their economic development – but to their national security.
“At G42, we’ve committed ourselves to be a responsible pioneer in the field of big data and AI innovation, which is witnessing remarkable growth in the world. We also look forward to communicating with various leaders seeking to foresee the future at the IDITSC to discuss the future of AI in global markets.”
His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, EDGE Group said: “Our involvement in the inaugural IDITSC, hosted here in the nation’s capital, underscores the importance of having a major global platform for the formation of valuable partnerships, best practice, and the exchange of information and ideas, bringing together the leaders and experts from critical areas of the defence and technology industries. EDGE will leverage its position as the region’s premier advanced technology group to further support the UAE’s drive to become a global leader in this space.
“IDITSC also provides an ideal opportunity to showcase our advancements in key sectors, particularly in the development of indigenous Autonomous Systems, AI, Future Technologies, and the nurturing of a highly skilled national talent pool, with the aim of serving the country globally in the defence and civilian spheres.”
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “We are pleased to have collaborated with the Ministry of Defence to hold this significant event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This is in line with ADNEC’s strategy of establishing and supporting conferences specialised in these critical sectors, as well as our wise leadership’s goals of transferring and localising advanced knowledge in the country and improving its competitiveness in the innovation and development sectors, along with employing data from the Fourth Industrial Revolution for the next fifty years.”