International Defence Conference 2025 explores global disruptions and defence preparedness
Titled Global Disruptions and Defence Preparedness: Mitigating Threats to Critical Supply Chains, the session focused on strengthening the resilience of supply chains vital to national defence and security through government and industry collaboration. The discussion also highlighted the role of technological innovations from start-ups in enhancing supply chain robustness.
The session underscored the importance of the conference in fostering international cooperation and developing defence solutions tailored to global challenges. It reiterated the pressing nature of disruptions caused by geopolitical instability, natural disasters, cyber threats, and global health crises.
H.E. General (Ret.) Hulusi Akar, Member of Parliament, Chair of the National Defence Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and former Turkish Minister of National Defence, highlighted that global supply chains are increasingly vulnerable, stressing the crucial role of international cooperation in safeguarding them. He noted that artificial intelligence, blockchain, and automation could significantly enhance supply chain protection. 'Speed, innovation, and agility are essential. We must leverage the adaptability and ingenuity of private-sector companies,' he stated.
Farooq Al Zeer, Chairman, Logistics Cluster, AD Ports Group, emphasised the importance of rapid response in overcoming challenges. Citing the swift distribution of vaccines in the UAE during COVID-19, he noted that Abu Dhabi Ports' advanced digital and security platforms ensure preparedness for any crisis, enabling continued service delivery even amid global disruptions.
Professor ManMohan S. Sodhi, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Bayes Business School, shed light on two emerging threats to global supply chains: interception and infiltration. He warned that modern geopolitical tactics are evolving, citing cases such as Somali pirates targeting shipments, which could jeopardise entire supply networks. He cautioned that if a single nation gains control over key trade routes, it could lead to conflict. Additionally, he raised concerns about tech giants like Google entering the defence and supply chain sectors, potentially destabilising global security.
Tim Cahill, President, Missiles, Fire & Control, Lockheed Martin, noted that global supply chain disruptions are gradually stabilising, although challenges persist—particularly in sourcing critical materials such as titanium. He acknowledged that while the United States recognises the need to restructure supply chains, bureaucratic hurdles slow progress. He emphasised that "The key solution lies in international collaboration to build resilient global supply chains through strategic partnerships."
Held under the theme 'Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration and Resilience' the conference is organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council. It brings together a diverse array of high-ranking government officials, defence policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and representatives from multinational corporations.
Serving as a premier platform for cross-border collaboration and long-term partnerships, the conference reflects the UAE's commitment to advancing international cooperation and innovation in the defence sector.
With a distinguished track record of success, the International Defence Conference has solidified its reputation as one of the world's leading forums for defence and security dialogue. Previous editions have played a pivotal role in fostering global cooperation, showcasing cutting-edge innovations, and shaping the future of defence strategies. The conference's legacy of impactful discussions and high-level participation underscores the UAE's steadfast commitment to driving progress and fostering meaningful partnerships in the global defence community.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
an hour ago
- Sharjah 24
Australian court fines Qantas US$59 million for illegal layoffs
Federal Court Justice Michael Lee said he wanted the penalty to be a "real deterrence" to firms that might be tempted by the financial rewards of breaching employment law. Qantas decided to sack the workers and outsource their jobs in August 2020, a period of lockdowns and border closures when no Covid-19 vaccine was widely available. Australia's Federal Court subsequently found that Qantas had acted illegally despite its stated "commercial imperatives" because it prevented staff from accessing their rights to collectively bargain or take industrial action. It later dismissed an appeal by the airline. Long-dubbed the "Spirit of Australia", 104-year-old Qantas has been on a mission to repair its reputation, which was hit in recent years by the illegal sackings, soaring ticket prices, claims of sloppy service, and the selling of seats on already-cancelled flights. Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson took over in 2023, promising to improve customer satisfaction. She replaced Alan Joyce, who stepped down earlier than planned as Qantas endured criticism over its treatment of workers and passengers, despite delivering bumper profits for shareholders. 'We sincerely apologise' Qantas said it accepted the penalty. "The decision to outsource five years ago, particularly during such an uncertain time, caused genuine hardship for many of our former team and their families," Hudson said. "We sincerely apologise to each and every one of the 1,820 ground handling employees and to their families who suffered as a result," she said in a statement. Qantas had worked for 18 months to change the way it works and "rebuild trust", the airline boss said. "This remains our highest priority as we work to earn back the trust we lost." Qantas' fine is to be paid in two parts, the court said, with Aus$50 million going to the Transport Workers Union and Aus$40 million being held for future payments to the former workers. The penalty is in addition to a compensation payment of Aus$120 million for affected former employees that Qantas agreed to last year. "It has been five long years. Today is a victory, not just for our colleagues but for all Australian workers," said Anne Guirguis, who worked at Qantas for 27 years cleaning aircraft before being laid off. "We can close this chapter and move on now," Guirguis told reporters outside court. Transport Workers' Union National Secretary Michael Kaine described Monday's decision as a "final win" for the Qantas workers. "Qantas was not sorry to workers when it illegally outsourced these workers, many finding out they'd lost their jobs over a loudspeaker in the lunch room," Kaine said. "Qantas is only sorry now that it has to pay the largest penalty fine of any employer in Australian corporate history."
Dubai Eye
2 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Qantas to pay record fine of $58 million for pandemic sackings criticised by judge
A court ordered Australia's largest airline, Qantas Airways, on Monday to pay a record fine of A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and criticised it for a lack of contrition. In imposing the penalty, the largest ordered by a court on a company in the history of Australia's labour laws, Federal Court Judge Michael Lee also inveighed against the airline's litigation strategy. While Qantas made changes to its board and management team, Lee said subsequent expressions of regret seemed more aligned with "the damage" the case had done to the company than remorse for the harm caused to workers. "I accept Qantas is sorry, but I am unconvinced that this measure of regret is not, at least in significant measure... the wrong kind of sorry," he added. Lee said the size of the penalty, about 75 per cent of the maximum he could have set, was important to ensure it "could not be perceived as anything like the cost of doing business". He said A$50 million of the fine would be paid to the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), which brought the case against Qantas. After the decision, Michael Kaine, the national secretary of the TWU, said, "Against all the odds, we took on a behemoth... that had shown itself to be ruthless, and we won." Monday's decision follows a December agreement on a compensation fund of A$120 million struck by the airline and the sacked workers. During the pandemic in 2020, Qantas' senior management decided to lay off 1,820 ground staff and shift their work to contractors. Qantas said it was a commercial decision but the Federal Court in 2021 held the move to be "adverse action", preventing staff from exercising their workplace rights and unionising, in breach of Australia's Fair Work Act. Assessing Qantas' actions, Lee said he was unconvinced it was truly contrite and criticised its culture, public relations approach and litigation strategy. For example, he said Qantas had announced it would appeal to the High Court against the 2021 court decision "without any time passing", to consider the 431-paragraph judgment. When its appeal failed, Qantas issued a statement "spinning" the outcome, however, and overlooking findings on its unlawful conduct, he added. He also criticised Qantas' conduct during litigation, such as opting to keep out of the witness box Vanessa Hudson, its current chief executive and former chief financial officer. "It is one thing for the 'Qantas News Room' to issue press releases by a CEO saying sorry; it is quite another for written assertions of contrition, recognition of wrong and cultural change to be tested in a courtroom," Lee said. The penalty was the largest ever ordered by a court for violations of Australia's labour laws, said Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, which represented TWU. "This record-breaking penalty reflects the monumental scale of Qantas' wrongdoing," the firm's principal, Josh Bornstein, said in a statement. The fine also reflected the unprecedented finding of adverse action against so many workers, said Shae McCrystal, a labour law professor at the University of Sydney. "Adverse action cases are risky," she said. "It signals a message to employers that if they break the law, then trade unions may receive those penalties in order to assist them in enforcing the act." Qantas said it would pay the fine as ordered. "We sincerely apologise to each and every one of the 1,820 ground handling employees and to their families," Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson said in a statement.
ARN News Center
3 hours ago
- ARN News Center
Qantas to pay record fine of $58 million for pandemic sackings criticised by judge
A court ordered Australia's largest airline, Qantas Airways, on Monday to pay a record fine of A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and criticised it for a lack of contrition. In imposing the penalty, the largest ordered by a court on a company in the history of Australia's labour laws, Federal Court Judge Michael Lee also inveighed against the airline's litigation strategy. While Qantas made changes to its board and management team, Lee said subsequent expressions of regret seemed more aligned with "the damage" the case had done to the company than remorse for the harm caused to workers. "I accept Qantas is sorry, but I am unconvinced that this measure of regret is not, at least in significant measure... the wrong kind of sorry," he added. Lee said the size of the penalty, about 75 per cent of the maximum he could have set, was important to ensure it "could not be perceived as anything like the cost of doing business". He said A$50 million of the fine would be paid to the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), which brought the case against Qantas. After the decision, Michael Kaine, the national secretary of the TWU, said, "Against all the odds, we took on a behemoth... that had shown itself to be ruthless, and we won." Monday's decision follows a December agreement on a compensation fund of A$120 million struck by the airline and the sacked workers. During the pandemic in 2020, Qantas' senior management decided to lay off 1,820 ground staff and shift their work to contractors. Qantas said it was a commercial decision but the Federal Court in 2021 held the move to be "adverse action", preventing staff from exercising their workplace rights and unionising, in breach of Australia's Fair Work Act. Assessing Qantas' actions, Lee said he was unconvinced it was truly contrite and criticised its culture, public relations approach and litigation strategy. For example, he said Qantas had announced it would appeal to the High Court against the 2021 court decision "without any time passing", to consider the 431-paragraph judgment. When its appeal failed, Qantas issued a statement "spinning" the outcome, however, and overlooking findings on its unlawful conduct, he added. He also criticised Qantas' conduct during litigation, such as opting to keep out of the witness box Vanessa Hudson, its current chief executive and former chief financial officer. "It is one thing for the 'Qantas News Room' to issue press releases by a CEO saying sorry; it is quite another for written assertions of contrition, recognition of wrong and cultural change to be tested in a courtroom," Lee said. The penalty was the largest ever ordered by a court for violations of Australia's labour laws, said Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, which represented TWU. "This record-breaking penalty reflects the monumental scale of Qantas' wrongdoing," the firm's principal, Josh Bornstein, said in a statement. The fine also reflected the unprecedented finding of adverse action against so many workers, said Shae McCrystal, a labour law professor at the University of Sydney. "Adverse action cases are risky," she said. "It signals a message to employers that if they break the law, then trade unions may receive those penalties in order to assist them in enforcing the act." Qantas said it would pay the fine as ordered. "We sincerely apologise to each and every one of the 1,820 ground handling employees and to their families," Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson said in a statement.
