Sheikh Mohammed visits IDEX, says proud of successful organisation of arms exhibitions

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited on Thursday the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021), and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) convening at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 21st to 25th February.

During the tour, Sheikh Mohammed visited a number of the companies participating in the global event and was briefed on the latest military and defence systems, products, and solutions on display.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid visited pavilions of Clidus, Edge, Cingulate, the joint UAE-US and Israeli company where he was briefed about its latest technological defence offerings.

At the end of the tour, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed expressed his pride of the successful organisation of the exhibitions despite the repercussions of the current global pandemic.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid also congratulated the organisers of the event and said the success of the 15th edition of IDEX is a result of the hard work of local talents who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited the final day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2021, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

During his tour, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed toured several national, Arab and international pavilions, where he was briefed by their officials and representatives about the key products and technologies showcased at the event. He spoke to them about the importance of participating in international exhibitions, such as IDEX, which is a key global platform for exchanging and benefitting from related views, expertise and knowledge, as well as implementing future projects.

The event is also an ideal opportunity to showcase the latest defence and security industry products, including sustainable systems and solutions that will advance the sector’s future and consolidate its role in achieving global peace, security and stability.

Heads of delegations and officials from participating companies commended the success of IDEX 2021, despite its hosting during the extraordinary conditions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, underscoring the UAE’s efficiency in managing international events at all times. They also noted the effective precautionary and preventive measures adopted by the relevant Emirati authorities to ensure the health and safety of the event’s participants, exhibitors and visitors.

At the end of his tour, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed thanked the organising committee of IDEX 2021, as well as the event’s partners and volunteers while expressing his happiness at the efforts to host the exhibition and at the relevant work of national cadres.

He also highlighted the distinguished participation, the number of agreements signed and strategic partnerships during the event, in addition to the strict precautionary measures implemented to ensure the safety of all participants.

The wide participation in the event highlights the growing international confidence in the UAE and its capacity to host global events, including global forums covering defence, security and peace and how to address the mutual challenges faced by the entire world, he said in conclusion.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by the Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of the Abu Dhabi Police; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department; along with a number of senior officials.

The 15th edition of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) concluded on Thursday, the Higher Organising Committee for the exhibitions announced, wrapping up the five-day events that seen extensive local and international participation.

The central success of the 15th edition lies in that it was the first global defence event to take place in the post pandemic recovery stage, with 62,445 attendees at the venue across five days.

WAM