Source : WAM
ADNEC Group hosted a special briefing for diplomatic missions, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Defence, to outline final preparations for the largest editions yet of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX), Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX), and International Defence Conference (IDC).
The events, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs and Chairman of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, are scheduled to take place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 20 to 22 January.
Organised by ADNEC Group alongside the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and supported by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, with EDGE Group as strategic partner and in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Mobility, these exhibitions are set to see record participation from leading international organisations, key decision-makers, and industry experts.
Brigadier General Mohammed Obaid Al Marshoudi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of UMEX, SimTEX, and IDC, stated, “The unmanned systems industry plays a pivotal role in upholding international peace and security, as well as driving sustainable economic development through its innovative solutions, which now extend beyond defence to serve a wide range of commercial and civil applications.”
Al Marshoudi noted that UMEX and SimTEX provide a platform to showcase the latest advancements in unmanned systems, simulation, and training. They also foster the development of robotics and AI applications across civil and commercial sectors, while bringing together international leaders and decision-makers to shape the future of these industries.
He added that the committee looks forward to welcoming official delegations and industry experts to participate in exhibitions covering sectors experiencing rapid growth, driven by AI technologies. These advancements have enabled start-ups to engage with local and international partners, form strategic collaborations, and create new investment opportunities in key sectors.
The 2026 edition of IDC, taking place on 19 January under the theme “Smart Horizons: Redefining Defence through Intelligent Autonomy,” is expected to draw more than 700 senior leaders, decision-makers, and experts to discuss emerging regional and global challenges, cutting-edge technological innovations, and their deployment across civil and defence applications.
Al Marshoudi emphasised that the collaboration with ADNEC Group in organising these specialised exhibitions represents a milestone for the Middle East’s exhibitions sector. This aligns closely with the UAE leadership and Ministry of Defence’s vision to develop national industries in high-growth sectors, strengthen partnerships with global players, and support the transfer and localisation of advanced technologies, further enhancing the UAE’s status as a hub for innovation and Industry 4.0.
On his part, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said, “ADNEC Group is organising the seventh edition of UMEX and SimTEX 2026 in line with its strategic vision to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier global destination for business tourism, conferences, and major international events and exhibitions. This exceptional edition is a continuation of the sustained growth journey since the event’s inception in 2015, and is set to deliver unprecedented results compared to previous editions.”
Al Dhaheri pointed out that this year marks the largest edition since the event’s inception, in terms of exhibition space and the number and diversity of participants and sectors represented, emphasising its enhanced focus on unmanned systems, AI, simulation, training, and emerging technologies across the civil, commercial, and defence domains.
He added, “Through close collaboration with our strategic partners, ADNEC Group has continuously enhanced the UMEX and SimTEX exhibitions to boost their global competitiveness, and attract decision-makers and companies specialising in unmanned and autonomous systems, to showcase the latest innovations across smart agriculture, healthcare, logistics, smart cities, sustainable energy, and infrastructure development.”
He extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council, EDGE, Abu Dhabi Mobility, and other public and private partners, expressing confidence that the upcoming editions will continue the UAE’s success story across economic and knowledge sectors.
