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Abu Dhabi, UAE: A powerful congress of senior sector leaders, policymakers and advisors has convened at the inaugural World Security Forum in Abu Dhabi to discuss regional security risks and explore the strategic skills and techniques to tackle inherent challenges.
Taking place 4-5 November at Abu Dhabi Global Market, the World Security Forum opened with Major General Omar Al Bitar, Adviser to the Minister of State for Defense Affairs in the UAE, discussing avenues to develop a robust security landscape for the GCC region, while Dr. Ian Wing, a Strategic Adviser for the Ministry of Interior, UAE, explored the forces and trends shaping regional security.
In his keynote presentation, Al Bitar reiterated the UAE’s position as a cooperative nation and its willingness to work in close partnership with its neighbours for the future economic development of the wider Middle East region.
“As an economic bloc that serves the interests of the whole world, we must be open to all players and use peaceful means to create a sense of collaboration. The UAE is a peace-loving nation and believes in cooperation to achieve what is best for everyone,” said Al Bitar.
Meanwhile, Wing shed light on four forces and trends he believes will have a dramatic impact on regional sustainability and security: the GCC’s strategic geographic trade position between Africa and Asia; climate change and how GCC countries may face an increase in sea levels of up to one metre by 2100; water scarcity and its impact on population movement and conflict; and increasing human population, specifically how a global population of 10 billion people by 2050 will increase pressure on already scarce food and water supplies and lead to chronic unemployment, poverty and mass migration
Wing also shed light on imminent threats such as increased globalisation, competition amongst nations and cyber-attacks.
Commenting on the way forward for GCC governments and organisations, Wing said: “The way to deal with forces is to understand them and be prepared for their effects. There are ominous signs but also positive ones. Continued good government and decision making is critical as the region moves ahead. The GCC states are relatively young and the region is constantly changing, since forming they have amassed great strategic wealth and influence.”
Morning sessions were followed by a panel evaluating current and future regional risk resolution measures featuring Al Bitar, Wing and Faisal Abbas of Saudi Arabia’s Arab News, and Dr. Mohamed Hamad Hareb Al Kuwaiti, an Executive Adviser of the Supreme Council for National Security, UAE. The panel discussion was moderated by Arab News’ Senior Business Columnist, Frank Kane.
Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, with UK’s Consilium as a Knowledge Partner, the World Security Forum comprises keynote speeches and panels examining the regional security landscape from GCC, Asian, European and US perspectives, strategy impacts, digital security mapping to combat global technology dynamism, threats to global business and insurance and means of leveraging intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for a safer world.
The two-day event’s authoritative public and private sector speaker line-up also includes National Security Advisors, Secretaries of Defense and State, C-suite executives of major corporations, government ministers, specialists and business development directors from the security, insurance, shipping, finance, legal, cyber, space security and satellite industries.
More information is available at: https://worldsecurityforum.ae
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Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With more than 2,500 employees at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of around €718 million. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensure that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
About Messe Frankfurt Middle East
Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of 16 exhibitions includes Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Jeddah, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Hardware + Tools Middle East, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Interior Lifestyle Middle East, Light Middle East, Materials Handling Middle East, Materials Handling Saudi Arabia, Middle East Cleaning Technology Week, Paperworld Middle East, Prolight + Sound Middle East, SPS Automation Middle East, The subsidiary also organises a series of conferences and seminars including the Worker Health Protection Conference, Think Light, and the International Conference on Future Mobility. In 2018, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 6,246 exhibitors from 60 countries, and attracted 140,685 visitors from 135 countries. For more information, visit www.messefrankfurtme.com
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