Latest news with #InternationalDefenceConference
Mid East Info
19-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
International Defence Conference 2025 kicks off at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi - Middle East Business News and Information
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the International Defence Conference 2025 commenced today at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Held alongside IDEX and NAVDEX, the conference brings together defence and security leaders, experts, and companies from around the world to discuss key challenges and opportunities in this strategic sector. His Excellency Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, inaugurated the conference, which is being held under the theme 'Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration, and Resilience.' Organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, the event gathers senior leaders, officials, defence and security representatives, academia, and industry stakeholders from the region and beyond. The conference features three key sessions, focusing on global disruptions and defence preparedness, mitigating threats to critical supply chains, and the role of misinformation and influence operations in modern conflicts. Additionally, a dedicated session will explore the evolving space domain and its emerging threats and opportunities. The event welcomes prominent international leaders, ministers, and defence officials from various countries. The International Defence Conference continues to attract high-profile global participation, bringing together distinguished figures from the defence, economic, and technology sectors, as well as senior military commanders from around the world. The conference will conclude with a dedicated session to present strategic recommendations shaping the framework for future defence programmes.
ARN News Center
18-02-2025
- Business
- ARN News Center
IDC 2025 discusses global disruptions, defence preparedness
The International Defence Conference 2025 commenced on Sunday at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, bringing together defence and security leaders, experts, and companies from around the world to discuss key challenges and opportunities in the sector. Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, inaugurated the conference, which is being held under the theme Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration, and Resilience. "It is crucial to recognise that security in the modern era extends far beyond traditional defence, it now encompasses the resilience of supply chains, the integrity of information, and the strategic use of space capabilities,'' said Al Mazrouei in his keynote inaugural address. ''In a world where global disruptions can halt supply chains in an instant, security is no longer just about protection, it is about preparedness and adaptability. The ability to anticipate risks, diversify logistics networks, and integrate advanced technologies is what will keep nations and industries resilient,'' he noted. Organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, the event, held alongside IDEX and NAVDEX, gathers senior leaders, officials, defence and security representatives, academia, and industry stakeholders from the region and beyond. The conference featured three key sessions, focusing on global disruptions and defence preparedness, mitigating threats to critical supply chains, and the role of misinformation and influence operations in modern conflicts. Additionally, a dedicated session will explore the evolving space domain and its emerging threats and opportunities. The International Defence Conference continues to attract high-profile global participation, bringing together distinguished figures from the defence, economic, and technology sectors, as well as senior military commanders from around the world. It will conclude with a dedicated session to present strategic recommendations shaping the framework for future defence programmes.
Khaleej Times
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How Houthi rebels used misinformation to disrupt global trade routes, explain experts
The Red Sea crisis has provided a striking example of how non-state actors can manipulate narratives to achieve strategic objectives, said a US Vice Admiral on Sunday. Kevin Donegan, former US NAVCENT & Fifth Fleet Commander, highlighted the Houthis' sophisticated disinformation campaign, which, he said, successfully altered global trade routes and economic stability. 'In the case of the Houthis, their disinformation campaign has really altered the narrative as it allowed them to achieve success; they've been able to amplify and make it seem like they're doing a lot more than they really are. The end results were that they completely altered the global supply chain,' he explained. Houthis changed the routing of the global supply chain and impacted the cost of European and Asian trade; 'that's pretty incredible for a non-nation state,' he added. Donegan, who was speaking at the International Defence Conference in Abu Dhabi a day before the world's biggest International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) kicks off in the UAE capital, emphasised that while information warfare is not new, the velocity and scale at which it can be executed today present new challenges. The Houthis, he said, combined social media with traditional media platforms they had seized in 2014; they conducted daily press briefings where officials made misleading claims, often supported by unrelated or manipulated video content. 'In one case, they basically said they sunk the USS Eisenhower as it was leaving the Red Sea... Despite evidence that they didn't, it didn't matter because they had the pairing of television, print, daily press briefings, video, and even music videos to augment that,' said the Vice Admiral. Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo, Director General of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), warned of the broader dangers of disinformation, particularly in political stability and public health. 'Consequences of disinformation campaigns are huge. If state and non-state actors start spreading disinformation during elections, people lose trust in the entire electoral process, leading them to not accept the democratically elected government.' She cited Pakistan's 2024 elections, where a political party's propaganda falsely claimed the elections would be rigged, eroding people's confidence in the process. She also highlighted how misinformation campaigns have been used to destabilise Pakistan's Baluchistan district. 'A small militant group, with the help of our enemies through their social media platforms, is spreading lies and malicious propaganda that Baluchistan wants freedom from Pakistan. This is just to destabilise and sabotage the progress and growth Baluchistan is going to see through the CPEC corridor.' Wattoo noted how public health has also suffered due to misinformation, citing how fake news about COVID-19 vaccines led to widespread hesitancy in rural Pakistan. 'Because of the literacy rate of people living in rural areas, they were hesitant to get vaccinated due to so much fake news regarding the origin and the vaccination of the disease.' Wattoo also referenced the role of Facebook in spreading racist and inflammatory content against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar in 2007, which fuelled violent attacks. Similar tactics have been used in India and the UK, where false social media posts have incited protests and unrest, she added. Liisa Past, Cyber Security & Strategic Communication Expert and Former National Cyber Director of Estonia, described this evolving landscape as a 'world of mutual assured doubt.' She warned that AI has become both a threat and a tool in the information war. 'AI is a force multiplier for the attacker because it allows them to create content that talks and feels native,' she said, explaining how AI-generated content can convincingly mimic public figures and influential voices. 'Once you figure out one area, whether it's media regulation or cybersecurity, the threat actors shift their focus. We've seen this cycle repeat itself as nations defend critical infrastructure, only for attacks to move into the grey area of information operations.' The panelists agreed that disinformation campaigns are becoming more sophisticated and pervasive, which calls for urgent countermeasures. 'The real fact of the matter is this isn't going to go away,' Donegan added. 'It's here to stay. So, the last thing that I'll say is it's about trusted information. That's really what we're talking about here — what information sources you can trust.'
Zawya
16-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
International Defence Conference 2025 kicks off at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the International Defence Conference 2025 commenced today at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Held alongside IDEX and NAVDEX, the conference brings together defence and security leaders, experts, and companies from around the world to discuss key challenges and opportunities in this strategic sector. His Excellency Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Fadel Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, inaugurated the conference, which is being held under the theme 'Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration, and Resilience." Organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, the event gathers senior leaders, officials, defence and security representatives, academia, and industry stakeholders from the region and beyond. The conference features three key sessions, focusing on global disruptions and defence preparedness, mitigating threats to critical supply chains, and the role of misinformation and influence operations in modern conflicts. Additionally, a dedicated session will explore the evolving space domain and its emerging threats and opportunities. The event welcomes prominent international leaders, ministers, and defence officials from various countries. The International Defence Conference continues to attract high-profile global participation, bringing together distinguished figures from the defence, economic, and technology sectors, as well as senior military commanders from around the world. The conference will conclude with a dedicated session to present strategic recommendations shaping the framework for future defence programmes.
Zawya
15-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Supreme Organising Committee of IDEX and NAVDEX 2025 and the International Defence Conference reviews final preparations
Abu Dhabi: The Supreme Organising Committee of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025 and the accompanying International Defence Conference convened a coordination meeting to discuss the final preparations for this landmark global event. This edition is set to be the largest in the history of the exhibitions, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Organised by ADNEC Group in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, IDEX and NAVDEX will take place from 17 to 21 February 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, with the participation of His Excellency Staff Major General Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group. Also in attendance were the heads of subcommittees and representatives from key national institutions across both the public and private sectors. His Excellency Al Mazrouei expressed his confidence that this edition will mark a significant step forward in strengthening international cooperation and opening new avenues for strategic partnerships. He commended the role of ADNEC Group and national entities in both the government and private sectors in ensuring the success of this prestigious event, reflecting the UAE's global standing. The subcommittees, operating under the Supreme Organising Committee, are closely coordinating to provide full support to international exhibitors. This includes technical and advisory assistance, facilitating operational requirements, and allocating platforms for showcasing advanced innovations. A key focus is also being placed on enhancing the visitor experience through parallel events that bring together experts and industry leaders to exchange insights on the future of the defence sector. During the meeting, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, confirmed that all technical and logistical preparations have been finalised to welcome international exhibitors and participating delegations. He emphasised ADNEC Group's commitment to delivering a high-calibre experience that cements the UAE's position as a leading global hub for defence and advanced technologies. Al Dhaheri highlighted that ADNEC Group's teams are working around the clock to meet all necessary requirements, from allocating interactive exhibition spaces and implementing cutting-edge technologies to ensuring world-class infrastructure and high-quality logistical services that guarantee the seamless execution of the exhibitions. The meeting also reviewed the preparations for the launch of the CBRNE Hub this year, a key addition to IDEX and NAVDEX 2025. This specialised platform will focus on the latest solutions and technologies for countering chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. IDEX, NAVDEX and the International Defence Conference, serve as global platforms attracting thousands of specialised companies and defence and security experts. The event highlights the latest technological transformations and their impact on the future of global security and stability.
