Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Higher Organising Committee of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2021) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX 2021) have completed preparations for the exhibitions, due to be held 21-25 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, alongside the International Defence Conference 2021 which will take place on 20 February at the ADNOC Business Centre.
IDEX and NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference are organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces. The exhibitions showcase the latest technologies and innovation in the global defence sector, support the growth of UAE’s defence industry, and forge new relationships between major international companies.
The International Defence Conference 2021 will be, for the first time, held as a hybrid event. The conference will bring together industry experts and specialists from across the world, physically and virtually, together to the ADNOC Business Center. The conference’s theme will be ‘The Prosperity and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology and the Protection in the Era of the 4IR’.
During a press conference held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre earlier this week, the details for the 15th editions of IDEX, NAVDEX, and the International Defence Conference 2021 were announced to the public. The conference was held in the presence of H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX; Major General Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi, Head of the Executive Directorate of Industries and Development of Defense Capabilities at the Ministry of Defense and Vice Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for IDEX and NAVDEX; and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.
H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei commented: “Since its inception, IDEX has supported the national and international defence sector. In doing so, this exhibition has furthered the establishment of the UAE on the regional and global stage. IDEX and NAVDEX are among the world’s most strategic and vital events, providing an integrated global platform that showcases cutting-edge technology and development. These developments empower participants to be informed of the latest breakthroughs in the fourth industrial revolution across land, sea, and air defence sectors.”
“This edition marks the commencement of the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of the ongoing global conditions. It will demonstrate how Abu Dhabi and the UAE are ready and able to organise, deliver, and host leading international events. The UAE has the infrastructure and expertise necessary to organise such a global event in adherence to leading precautionary health and safety measures,” he added.
“The 2021 edition of the exhibitions and the conference coincide with our nation’s Golden Jubilee. This occasion represents the culmination of a half-century of development and achievements, guaranteeing the UAE its prestigious international position,” H.E. Major General Staff Pilot Al Mazrouei
Major General Pilot Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Al-Balushi commented: “We are immensely proud to launch IDEX, NAVDEX and the International Defence Conference 2021 during this time. The international community is confident in our ability to organise these exhibitions on schedule.”
“ADNEC is cooperating with a wide range of organising committees and authorities to ensure each event can welcome international delegations, exhibitors, journalists, visitors, and participants. This includes close coordination with the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces, who are facilitating visa issuance for international delegations. In addition, international visitors are provided with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests upon arrival at the UAE’s airports, presenting their print-at-home registration badge to participate in IDEX and NAVDEX.”
Major General Staff Pilot Al-Balushi further commented: “19 hotels, located around the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, have been selected to host international delegations and visitors participating at the event, in co-operation with the relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi. Each hotel is equipped with a PCR test centre, in coordination with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi. Additionally, participants will be able to use shuttle buses to transfer delegates to and from the events.”
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC, commented: “Over 900 exhibitors from 59 nations are expected to take part in the 2021 editions, with 35 national pavilions. IDEX and NAVDEX will welcome over 70,000 local and international visitors during five days, in addition to 110 international delegations confirmed their attendance. Over 500 journalists from 64 nations will cover both the exhibitions and the conference”.
“Five countries will participate in IDEX and NAVDEX for the first time: Israel, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, and Portugal. 84% of companies exhibiting will be internationally based, while 16% will be UAE based entities. Such figures demonstrate the vast international interest in IDEX and NAVDEX, alongside showcasing the high quality of defence innovations which will be on display in Abu Dhabi.”
“IDEX and NAVDEX will be hosted across ADNEC’s indoor and outdoor exhibition space, which reached about 155,000 square metres. Outdoor space and water demonstrations for NAVDEX will take place at the ADNEC Marina, spanning across 81,000 square metres.”
“NAVDEX will welcome over 70 exhibitors from 16 countries. Over 17 naval units and vessels will participate at the conference from 10 nations: the United States of America, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Italy, South Africa, India, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. Naval ships and equipment will be on display at the pier of ADNEC Marina at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, as well as in dedicated areas in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s port area,” Al Dhaheri concluded.
