» By: M. Fahed AL Halabieh
The fourth edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX) and the accompanying conference, organised by ADNEC in cooperation with the General Command of the Armed Forces, from 23-25 February 2020, will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The Higher Organising Committee of UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions indicated that all sub-committees are ready for the event per a specially set programme, with the aim of achieving the highest levels of excellence for the upcoming edition at all levels. This will be done by building on previous editions’ successes, achieved on regional and international levels, with teams that include distinguished national competencies who will work to prepare and develop events in a manner that benefits the reputation and standing of the UAE.
Saeed Al Mansouri, Executive Director of IDEX, a subsidiary of ADNEC, said: “This year we will complete the series of successes achieved in previous editions. The third edition of UMEX and SimTEX witnessed great success and local and international record turnout, thanks to the directives and support of our wise leadership, and as a result of the exceptional efforts made by ADNEC and its group of companies in cooperation with partners from the public and private sectors, organising committees and media establishments sponsoring the exhibitions and the accompanying conference.”
Al Mansouri added: “At ADNEC, we are always focused on hosting and organising international exhibitions and events that support business tourism sectors identified in the Abu Dhabi plan, that contribute to advancing economic development in the Emirate. We are proud of organising this unique exhibition in the region, which specialises in presenting technologies of unmanned defence systems, simulation and training systems in addition to robotics and artificial intelligence, and highlights the role of the UAE and enhances its global leading position in the fourth industrial revolution. “
Advanced level of preparations
The Higher Organising Committee of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) and Simulation Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX) held its eighth preparatory meeting in the run-up to the dual mega event.
Applauding the efforts of the event sub-committees, led by ADNEC’s Emirati professionals, His Excellency Brigadier General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, said: “We are extremely impressed with the advanced level of preparations underway for the upcoming editions of UMEX and SimTEX, as well as the unwavering commitment and enthusiasm of our UAE national teams in ensuring the success of the two events. Building on the achievements of the previous editions, UMEX and SimTEX 2018 will continue to attract key players in defence and related sectors from across the globe.”
He added: “Among the highlights of this year’s editions will be live air shows that demonstrate the unique performance capabilities of our aircrafts and unmanned systems of various types and dimensions in a real-life environment.”
For his part, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC, said: “The dual event serves as a definitive platform for national and international companies to showcase their latest products and technologies to a broad spectrum of defence experts, decision-makers and military commanders.
He added: “I have complete confidence in the organisational skills of ADNEC’s world-class teams and their ability to cater to the dynamic requirements of the exhibitors, participants and visitors through providing them with exceptional venue services. To achieve this goal, we have made substantial investments in upgrading our venue infrastructure, facilities, technologies and smart applications.”
Since UMEX and SimTEX were delinked from the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) to become standalone biennial events, they have emerged as the leading platforms for the full spectrum of civil defence and military segments, such as marine, air and land search and rescue, as well as aerial photography.
Dedicated Conference
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) and Tawazun Economic Council in cooperation with the Supreme Command of the UAE Armed Forces, is set to organise a special conference on the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX) on February 22, 2020.
Under the theme ‘Manned-Unmanned Teaming in the Age of Smart Systems’, the special conference will be held one day prior to the launch of UMEX and SimTEX 2020, both of which will take place in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The conference will attract experts, decision makers, senior officials and academics working in the unmanned systems, simulation and training sectors. Promoting the UAE as a global destination for conferences specialised in unmanned systems and simulation and training systems, and to keep abreast of the latest scientific and technological developments in this field, share best practices as well as become aware of the latest Research & Development in this ever-changing field. The conference sessions will discuss possible solutions to the challenges facing our world in the light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The agenda will cover four main themes; the first one is the Human Dimension, which will discuss manned and unmanned teaming in the age of autonomy. In the second discussion, subject matter experts will discuss missions and operations that examine the role of unmanned systems in supporting multi-domain operations, in addition to missions and operations in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The third theme, entitled Industry and Market, will examine the future of the unmanned systems sector and the integration and interoperability of unmanned systems.
Finally, border security has been added to this year’s conference as a fourth theme and as one of the main topics for debate and discussions. It is one of the new topics at the conference where experts and decision makers on the border security sector will discuss the implications of the digital age on joint action in ports and border security as well as its new intellectual approach in the light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The conference provides a global platform where experts address the most urgent developments facing the world under the Fourth Industrial Revolution in addition to the new challenges and opportunities it poses. It will also seek innovative solutions to challenges and foresee the future in a world of accelerated scientific developments and innovations and increased reliance on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.
The previous editions of both UMEX and SimTEX in 2018 witnessed high turnout, and the number of participating countries rose to 34 with the total area of both events reaching 17,000 m2. The number of global and local companies participating increased to 122, with the overall number of visitors roughly reaching 13,000. The event also received extensive media coverage on local and global levels.
