Diplomats Laud Abu Dhabi's Preparations To Host IDEX And NAVDEX 2019

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 09th Jan, 2019) Representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to the UAE have praised the UAE's efforts to ensure the success of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, IDEX, and the Naval Defence Exhibition and Conference, NAVDEX, 2019, held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The representatives of diplomatic missions 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 17th -21st February, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC.

Delivering the key note address was 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; Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and its subsidiaries; and several committee heads.

On the sidelines of the induction meeting, Swedish Ambassador to the UAE Henrik Landerholm told the Emirates news Agency (WAM) that IDEX and NAVDEX will be a great success as a result of the good preparations that will ensure the success of this global event.

In turn, the Ambassador of Fiji to the UAE Kamlesh Prakash said, "We are very confident in Abu Dhabi's ability to dazzle the world at the 25th edition of IDEX and NAVDEX 2019, which represent one of the most important defence exhibitions in the world, offering the latest defence technologies and capabilities."

"We have a delegation coming from Fiji to participate in this global event and we wish the exhibitors every success and we thank the organising committee," Prakash added.

Meanwhile, the Serbian Ambassador to the UAE Stanimir Vukicevic affirmed his country's participation in this international event for the eighth year in a row, praising the great efforts for hosting the events.

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.

IDEX 2019 will bring experts, decision-makers, military leaders, senior officials, and defence industry executives to serve international peace, security and stability.

Commenting on the upcoming events, Staff Major General 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.

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"IDEX 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," he noted.

Al Mazrouei highlighted that 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, AI, 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".

He 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.

In a statement to WAM, Major General Staff Pilot Al-Balushi said, "The large presence of ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, and military attaches accredited to the UAE emphasises the UAE's pioneering role in the field of the global defence industry."

He pointed out that during the meeting, the latest developments and preparations for the hosting of ADEX and Navadix 2019 were reviewed, and "we will celebrate the Silver Jubilee this year."

For his part, Humaid Al Dhaheri commented, "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.