The Gulf Defence Conference (GDC), which will take place during IDEX 2005 - the 7th International Defence Exhibition & Conference, will take a comprehensive look at how the issues in Iraq are affecting Gulf nations and will feature expert speakers from both Arab countries, as well as Western nations. The Conference will be held in Abu Dhabi – UAE on 12 February 2005, during IDEX 2005, which is being held 12-17 February 2005, under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The Conference organised by Jane’s on behalf of the General Exhibitions Corporation (GEC), aims at understanding how GCC nations and their Armed Forces will respond to terrorism, security and unconventional threats that have emerged with increasing frequency over the last two years, since the invasion of Iraq.
Major General Khaled Abdullah, Head of the UAE Air Force has been invited to open the Conference with a key note speech that will look at how the new global threats will affect GCC nations and their equipment needs.
Among the confirmed speakers at the Conference are Commodore Allan du Toit, Director General - Navy Capability, Performance and Plans with the Royal Australian Navy, who will look at how littoral threats present challenges for the GCC and what solutions can be offered.
Major General Sir Jack Deverell, former Commander, Allied Forces North, will speak on the need for emergency response systems that work across both civil and military mechanisms, in responding to terrorism threats, as well as on how GCC Forces might operate in the counter-terrorist role, in comparison to NATO nations.
Peter Varnish, Chairman of the Conference, says: “2005 will be a critical year with the consequences of Iraq permeating the thinking of Defence Ministries and Security Forces around the world. The conference is the most critical and authoritative event to consider this topic.” “The Conference will enable all participants to benefit from obtaining valuable insights from leading regional and global experts on defence and related areas”, said Mr. Ahmad Humaid Al Mazrouie, Director General, General Exhibitions Corporation. The previous edition of the Gulf Defence Conference was held in 2003 and attracted over 400 delegates. - ENDS - Editor’s note: Jane’s Information Group is a world leading provider of intelligence and analysis on national and international defence, security and risk developments. Jane’s is an independent organisation with an unrivalled reputation of accuracy, authority and impartiality. IDEX 2005 is one of the largest defence exhibitions in the world catering to Land, Sea and Ground-to-Air Defence Systems and Equipment. IDEX 2005 will be held 12-17 February 2005 in Abu Dhabi, UAE at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition & Conference Centre (ADIEC). It will incorporate the day-long Gulf Defence Conference 2005 (GDC), which will be held on the 12th, which is regarded in the international academic and military circles, as a top forum on defence strategies and technologies
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Mohammed K Nabhani
Project Manager – IDEX 2005
Tel: +971 2 4446900 Ext: 269
Email:nabhani@gec.ae
www.idexuae.com
