MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The largest edition of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX), kicked off on Monday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), bringing together experts, innovators, and industry leaders from across the globe.
UMEX / SimTEX 2024 is the Middle East’s only event dedicated to drones, robotics, components, and unmanned systems. The exhibitions, which will take place starting Tuesday, through Friday, were preceded by a conference held on Monday under the theme: “Soaring to new heights: Unprecedented impacts of emerging technologies in the evolving unmanned era”. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the event is organised by ADNEC Group and the UAE Ministry of Defence, with EDGE Group as a strategic partner.
This year’s conference featured four keynote presentations, three panel discussions and a fireside chat, with keynote presentations given by industry leaders in their respected fields.
The conference included a multimedia show on the future of the use of unmanned systems for the benefit of humanity, and highlighted the UAE’s role in this “unfolding narrative”, as the country “has emerged as a global pioneer shaping the destiny of unmanned systems”. Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, said in his welcoming address that the UAE “always takes pride in hosting such significant events”.
“Through this event, which is considered to be the only one of its kind in the Middle East region, we aim to achieve our desired goals in keeping up with the surge of informatics and leaving our digital footprint towards a better future in support of our wise leadership,” he added.
Al Mazrouei further noted that this conference aims to provide a “global platform”, bringing together officials and decision makers alongside innovators to discuss topics related to the fourth industrial revolution, the surge of informatics, and the role of artificial intelligence in “taking unmanned systems to new heights”.
He added that the event sheds light on the most recent technical and scientific advancements in the field of unmanned systems, “which contributes to enhancing the position of the UAE as a leading global destination in the field of artificial intelligence by 2031”.
The UMEX and SIMTEX 2024 will also host for the first time the Coding Challenge competition, which aims to engage and showcase the skills of national talents specialising in programming, according to Al Mazrouei. Also speaking during the event, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Advanced Science and Technology, Omran Sharaf, noted that recent global events and developments in the field of technology and geopolitics have demonstrated how big of an impact the technology of unmanned systems can create.
The remainder of the event will feature significant discussions that look into developments in artificial intelligence and the use of unmanned systems, he said.
In an interview with Aletihad on the sidelines of the conference, Staff Colonel Saeed Abdalla Mohamed Alghawi, the official spokesman of UMEX and SimTEX 2024, noted that the conference brought together experts, professionals, leaders, and CEOs of local and international companies from around the world.
These participants discussed the latest technologies related to the use of unmanned systems, robotics, assimilation, and training, according to Alghawi. He added that speakers have offered various positive views on ways to address challenges related to both military and civil usage of unmanned systems.
His Excellency Major General Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for UMEX and SimTEX, said: “UMEX and SimTEX Conference provides a strategic platform that brings together industry specialists and decision-makers from across the world to share and exchange views and ideas on unmanned systems. The UMEX and SimTEX Conference and exhibitions are the only events of their kind in the Middle East region in this vital and futuristic field, reflecting the growing significance of unmanned systems in upholding international peace and security.
"Additionally, these industries and their innovative advancements play a crucial role in driving the sustainable development of national economies, extending beyond defence applications to encompass commercial and civilian uses.”
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “Today we witnessed the launch of the UMEX and SimTEX Conference, organised by ADNEC Group and Ministry of Defence, with EDGE Group as a strategic partner, in the presence of leading diplomatic missions, industry leaders, academic researchers and global thought leaders to exchange views in the unmanned systems sector. This conference has been the largest since its inception in 2015, and part of ADNEC Group’s strategy to support vital and promising sectors and enhance the competitiveness of national companies at local and international levels.”
The exhibition portion of the event will take place starting on Tuesday, focusing on the “Future of Autonomy: Human endeavour for a digital world”, featuring over 130 exhibitors.