Record-breaking UMEX and SimTEX 2024 exhibition and conference set to launch next week in Abu Dhabi with unprecedented local and global participation

 Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Unmanned Systems (UMEX) and Simulation and Training (SimTEX) exhibition and conference will take place from January 23 to 25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, with record participation from major local and global specialised companies. This announcement was made at the press conference held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to discuss the latest preparations for launching the largest edition of the exhibitions and the accompanying conference to date, organised by ADNEC Group in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence.

Major General Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the exhibitions, said: “Since their first launch in 2015, the UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions have witnessed significant developments on all fronts, thanks to four main success factors. The first factor is the significant and unlimited support from the wise leadership and their gracious patronage of these events, providing all aspects of support for their success, in addition to the leading global stature of the country and its diplomatic relationships with all countries of the world, which contributed to enhancing the competitiveness of the exhibitions and their ability to attract major global specialised companies from the five continents.”

He added: “The second factor is the leadership of the United Arab Emirates and its transformation into a global economic hub for innovation and creativity in unmanned systems, simulation and training, robotics, and artificial intelligence industries, providing an integrated legislative environment that leads the world in this field. The third key to success is Abu Dhabi’s sophisticated infrastructure, combined with ADNEC Group’s distinct business approach. This approach is implemented across ADNEC’s seven specialised divisions, each adhering to the highest international standards relevant to their sector. The final factor contributing to success involves the ongoing and dedicated efforts of the Supreme Organising Committee. They collaborate with partners from both public and private sectors to consistently introduce new and additional events with each edition. This approach aims to surpass the expectations of both participants and visitors. What you see today is the fruit of efforts implemented over the past 24 months, where the preparation and promotion for the event began at the end of the previous edition in 2022.”

Al Jabri clarified that the present edition of the exhibitions is the biggest and most comprehensive since their inception. This scale reflects 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. They now extend beyond defence applications to encompass commercial and civilian uses.

He pointed out that the exhibitions provide a platform to showcase the latest innovations and technologies in unmanned systems, simulation, and training, including robotics and artificial intelligence applications, bringing together international industry leaders and decision-makers under one roof to discuss ways to advance the current state and future of these vital sectors.

The Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee indicated that the current edition would witness the participation of many official delegations, with over 245 official invitations sent to visiting delegations from around the world. The first day will include an opening ceremony with local and international senior officials and guests, showcasing the significant development in unmanned systems industries and the leadership of the United Arab Emirates in these vital sectors.

He said: “It is expected that over their three days, the exhibitions will see the influx of decision-makers and specialists eager to learn about the most prominent vital sectors experiencing unprecedented development and growth, thanks to artificial intelligence technologies that have revolutionised the world in recent years. We are also striving to provide the appropriate environment for emerging companies to find opportunities to connect with local and international partners, build strategic partnerships, and open channels for direct and indirect investment in the innovations and technologies of these emerging companies in these vital sectors.”

Al Jabri revealed that organising the exhibitions will be accompanied by hosting the UMEX and SimTEX conference on January 22, under the theme: “Unmanned Systems, Ascending to New Spaces for Emerging Technologies and Unprecedented Impacts.” It is expected to attract over 200 top leaders, decision-makers, and experts, who, during several sessions, will discuss the most prominent challenges and regional and international issues, in addition to showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in these sectors and ways to employ them for civilian and military uses.

He concluded by saying: “Our cooperation with ADNEC Group in these unique events, dedicated to unmanned systems, simulation and training, artificial intelligence, and robotics, marks a milestone in the world of specialised exhibition industry. This aligns with the goals of our wise leaders and the Ministry of Defence’s strategy to grow national industries across various key sectors. We aim to achieve this by strengthening partnerships with global industry leaders and actively working to bring and adapt advanced technologies within our country. This will contribute to affirming the growing position and reputation of the country as a global centre for the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and as a centre for innovation and creativity. The exhibitions will witness the announcement of many deals for the participating pavilions, in addition to deals for the Tawazun Council for the benefit of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates.”

On his part, Hamid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “The world turns its attention again next week to Abu Dhabi as a new milestone is reached in the state’s achievements in various economic and knowledge sectors, through hosting the largest edition of the UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions since their first launch in 2015.”

Al Dhaheri explained that the current edition will witness the launch of five new initiatives for the first time, including the launch of the UMEX commercial platform with the participation of more than 37 international and local companies specialised in the civilian and commercial uses of unmanned systems. For the first time, live land and marine unmanned systems shows will be organised at the main platform and ADNEC’s water channel, in addition to aerial shows in the Sweihan Hills area. In a related context, the current edition of the events will witness the launch of the first edition of the programming challenge within the exhibitions, targeting national talents specialised in programming sectors, in cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and ADNEC Group.

Furthermore, a new platform for startups from around the world will be launched, inviting these companies to present their latest innovations and technologies to compete for the ‘UMEX Next Gen Innovation Award’, in addition to launching a programme of daily dialogue sessions for the commercial sector with speakers from leading companies in this area.

Al Dhaheri revealed that the current edition of the exhibitions has attracted record participation from major global companies specialised in these vital sectors, with the exhibition area increased by 15%, reaching over 30,000 square metres, compared to the previous edition in 2022. More than 214 exhibiting companies are set to participate in the exhibitions, with a growth rate of 19% compared to the previous edition. Additionally, more than 35 countries are participating, marking a 30% increase in the number compared to the last edition, while the current edition of the exhibitions witnesses the participation of 11 countries for the first time, namely: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Singapore, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Taiwan, Estonia, the Virgin Islands, and the Czech Republic.

He added: “Since its establishment, ADNEC Group has been committed to supporting the growth and development of national industries in various sectors, as part of its strategy to enhance the competitiveness of national companies and transfer and localise advanced knowledge in the country. The current edition of the exhibitions has seen an increase in the number of national companies to 72, a 64% increase over last year’s edition. In this years edition, national companies’ participation represents 34% of the total exhibiting companies, while the number of international participating companies reached 142, representing 67% of the participating companies. The UAE pavilion is the largest among the national pavilions participating, with an area of 5,200 square metres, followed by the Chinese and then the American pavilions, affirming the importance of the exhibitions in advancing the present and future outlook of these vital sectors in the country.”

Al Dhaheri thanked the Ministry of Defence for their efforts and cooperation in successfully organising these important events and presenting them in a manner befitting the reputation and status of the country on both regional and international levels, and to all partners in the public and private sectors, especially EDGE, the strategic partner of the exhibitions.