The higher organising committee of the upcoming International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2017) and the Naval Defence Exhibition and Conference (NAVDEX 2017) held its sixth meeting at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), to review latest preparations by specialised committees in the run-up to hosting leading events in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

In collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces, IDEX 2017 and NAVDEX 2017 will run under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, from 19-23 February 2017 at ADNEC.

Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Head of the Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX, said: “We are confident that the collocated events will provide an excellent platform for the local defence industry to gain valuable insight and understanding to further develop the sector. They also provide the UAE Armed Forces with a unique opportunity to review the latest developments taking place globally in this important military field.”

He added: “These exhibitions complement the critical role played by our armed forces in collaboration with all government and national entities in supporting different economic sectors in line with the vision of our leadership.

“Our teams today are working relentlessly to achieve all aspects of preparedness in hosting the two mega events in a manner that reflects their growing reputation and global position.”

For his part, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Acting Group CEO of ADNEC, said: “The increasing international significance attached to IDEX and NAVDEX mandates us to deliver the best results to surpass the expectations of our visitors and participants.”

He added: “ADNEC’s success in organising leading international exhibitions and its growing reputation in the MICE industry are the outcomes of the sustained efforts and efficiency of our teams led by top Emirati talents. Our successful hosting of mega events reinforces our strategy of training and preparing national cadres to lead economic sectors that are critical to articulating the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.”

“In cooperation with the higher organising committee and the UAE Armed Forces, ADNEC’s team is currently preparing to organise the two mega parallel events that will welcome senior military officials and experts from the region and the world at large.” 

Al Dhaheri pointed out that ADNEC is currently putting finishing touches to the online registration system for exhibitors and visitors keen to apply for entry permits. He added that ADNEC is cooperating with international entities to ensure the prompt delivery of these permits and is set to announce online registrations shortly.

More than 1,200 exhibitors and 101,000 visitors from across the globe participated in IDEX 2015, with signed deals amounting to well over AED18.3 billion.