His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited on Monday the exhibition halls of UMEX and SimTEX 2020.

The fourth edition of the exhibition is the only event in the Middle East dedicated for drones, robotics, components and unmanned systems. Organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, ADNEC, in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the Supreme Command of the UAE Armed Forces, the exhibition took place on 23-25 February.

Sheikh Mohamed exchanged talks with exhibitors and officials participating in the exhibition. He was introduced to the latest technologies available in the unmanned systems sector, according to Emirates news agency WAM.

Commenting on the exhibition, His Highness said that the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence sectors, anticipating future developments that contribute to the progress of society and the impact of technology on changing human lives for the better.

“It is our responsibility to change human lives for the better, and to utilize technology to build bridges of progress, security and stability for all,” the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince affirmed.

Sheikh Mohamed added that UMEX and SimTEX exhibit the UAE’s “important role in providing effective global platforms for dialogue related to vital sectors to that matter to current and future global developments.”

Events like UMEX and SimTEX, His Highness continued, reflect global partners’ confidence in hosting events of such a high caliber in the UAE.

He went on to note the vested interest the UAE is taking in advanced technology across the drones, robotics, components and unmanned systems sectors, and their impact on human development. His Highness said that the UAE is keen to keep up with the rapid developments in the field to bolster its knowledge economy further as well as to diversify its trade and investment sector.

Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief-of-Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, accompanied His Highness during the visit.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamed also received on Monday, Major General Saïd Chengriha, Acting Chief-of-Staff of the Algerian National People’s Army who visited the UAE to attend UMEX and SimTEX.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed current ties between the UAE and Algeria, particularly in the military and defense sectors, and means to enhance cooperation to serve the interests of the two countries and their peoples. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual concern.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, was also present during the meeting, along with Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defense Affairs, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court.

For his part, Al Bowardi met with Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian Minister of Defense, to discuss cooperation between the UAE and Indonesia and ways to achieve common interests.

The meetings took place at Al Bowardi’s office at UMEX and SimTEX. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments, and discussed several issues of common concern.

Al Bowardi and Subianto witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between the Defense Ministries of the two countries, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of defense.

Later, Al Bowardi received General Raheel Sharif, Commander of the Islamic Military Coalition Against Terrorism, during his visit to UMEX and SimTEX 2020. They discussed the coalition’s counter-terrorism strategy and the framework of uniting the Islamic countries to fight terrorism, in line with international peacekeeping efforts. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.