Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), opened today the official IDEX 2009 Gulf Defence Conference at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
"The one-day forum, held under the theme : ’Changing World :Emerging Threats and New Security Challenges’, will identify and discuss the key defence and security priorities facing the Gulf region today, examine the wider strategic environment and the impact on equipment acquisition decisions and assess and debate the key threats - Gulf Security, International Terrorism and other issues of interest," Sheikh Sultan said in his welcoming address.
Organised by Jane’s Intelligence, the 2009 conference comes at a point where the world faces an evolving security environment.
The conference will provide governments, defence forces and defence equipment suppliers with a unique insight into the Gulf region’s fast changing defence and security environment.
International military experts, analysts and strategists, he said, would examine the spectrum of emerging threats. This will include consideration of the GCC approaches and reactions towards the demanding and pressing issues and the role of their armed forces in response to non-conventional threats and their direct and indirect implications on the region.
A line-up of authoritative and internationally acclaimed speakers will take a closer look at the latest trends in international terrorism, with particular consideration to its impact in the Gulf region and the differing approaches to implementing improved homeland security.
Finally, as the development of nuclear energy programmes continues apace across the Gulf and the wider Middle East, the conference will examine the potential security hazards this creates, including specific responses to possible nuclear accidents.
