UAE to Host the Region’s Foremost Platform for Security and National Resilience

Under the patronage of Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, and Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the United Arab Emirates will be hosting the seventh edition of the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016) event. Organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with REED Exhibitions- Middle East, the ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016 will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Center (ADNEC) on 15 – 17 March 2016 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). 

In his speech during the press conference to announce the seventh edition of the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience (ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016), Major General Staff Dr. Obeid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the ISNR’s Higher Organizing Committee, said: “The UAE’s excellent record in organizing mega-conferences and exhibitions is highly acclaimed by all. This unprecedented success is the result of concerted efforts under the Union’s umbrella, and was achieved thanks to the wise policy and judicious directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and the vigilant follow-up of General H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, consistently seeking to make further epic international achievements in this field.” Additionally, Major General Staff Dr. Al Ketbi indicated that the strong relationship between the people and leadership of the UAE has blossomed into safety, peace of mind and love for the leadership. “It is only natural that the efforts of the wise leadership, who has given top priority to achieve happiness and well-being to the people as they march towards a bright future, are reciprocated with feelings of love and respect by the people, along with a reinvigorated sense of loyalty and dedication to answer the call of duty, and to lay down their life to defend the country,” he continued. 

H.E Major General Staff Dr. Al Ketbi said: “ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016 has become a prominent international event in the field of security and safety in the Middle East and North Africa and the world’s largest homeland security and national resilience event. Now in its seventh edition, ISNR 2016 ISNR will provides access to the latest trends and technologies displayed by local and international companies in fields of security, safety, resilience, protection of critical facilities and installations, information security, firefighting and emergency response, and occupational safety and health under one roof.  It will feature two launch events, Infosecurity Middle East and Emergency Response & Disaster Prevention, together with two co-located events dedicated to Firefighting Middle East and Occupational Safety and Health Middle East which is co-organized by OSHAD Abu Dhabi.” H.E Major General Staff Dr. Al Ketbi added that the organizing committee is endeavoring to ensure that ISNR will become a leading global event in terms of numbers of visitors and exhibitors in its upcoming edition.

He also noted that the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of ISNR will feature live shows held for the first time in the outdoor area. The shows will shed the light on Emergency Response and Crisis Management techniques, as well as ways to handle such cases professionally and efficiently by the different security entities at the Ministry of Interior, with participation of other governmental entities. This aims to showcase the latest sophisticated technologies used by police entities to handle disasters and manage crisis. 

Major General Staff Dr. Al Ketbi mentioned that the exhibition will host a myriad of events, notably four workshops, 60 educational seminars, IT workshops on cyber risks, 30 technical and educational seminars on information security and 25 technical seminars through the innovation platform of ISNR. “Additionally, the event will host 16 specialized presentations through the Occupational Safety & Health Middle East Exhibition, and 10 educational and recreational events including the Future of Policing Pavilion, firefighting equipment in the outdoor display area, cleaning demonstrations using building scaffolds, along with equipment and uniform during the Occupational Safety & Health Middle East exhibition. Exhibitors will also organize live shows in the outdoor display area,” he said. 

Major General Staff Dr. Al Ketbi explained that ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016 will see the launch of the first edition of the ISNR Innovative Ideas Award, which aims to recognize innovations and inventions in the fields of preserving security and safety. He noted that the UAE World Firefighter Challenge will also be held on the sidelines of the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016). Held in collaboration with Reed Exhibitions at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), the championship will be organized by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Civil Defense General Command. “A cybercrime conference will also be part of the ISNR 2016 events, and will see participation of an elite group of specialized local, regional and international experts and academics,” he continued.

Moreover, he pointed out that invitations to attend ISNR 2016 were extended to a large number of official delegations, officials, and decision-makers, along with nearly 150 regional and international government and corporate buyers. 500+ local and international exhibiting companies will be participating in the international exhibition and the accompanying events and will be displaying their latest innovations and products in the areas of security, safety, civil defense, and information security, in addition to the latest concepts and technologies in the field of security and protection of vital properties and facilities, readiness and response to emergencies and risk prevention. The most important projects made by the UAE youth will also be displayed. 

Towards the end of his speech, Major General Staff Dr. Al Ketbi extended his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, for his continuous support and keenness to provide the necessary financial and human resources needed to ensure the success of the exhibition, which befits the distinguished status enjoyed by the UAE among other world countries.

For his part, Colonel Mohammed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chief of Fire & Emergency Exhibition Organizing Committee said: “The 2nd edition of the UAE World Firefighter Challenge will be organized on the sidelines of the ISNR Exhibition and Conference at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. The championship, which is the largest in the world in terms of number of participants and value of awards, is organized by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the UAE-based 911 Challenge, in recognition of the tremendous efforts made by the UAE civil defense staff members. The challenge will be taking place on 15th -17th March, 2016 with the participation of nearly 250 competitors from 20 countries in the largest gathering of firefighters and rescue workers from around the world.”

Adding further, Colonel Al Nuaimi noted that the challenge will witness the launch of two different competitions, for the audience and children. These competitions, in their first edition, aim to foster a strong bond between Civil Defense personnel and community members and allow them to test their physical fitness skills and endurance, by urging them to pass the challenge specifically designed for firefighters.

He confirmed that the challenge is a platform to test and refine the skills and abilities of the participants and is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance and difficulty of Civil Defense personnel’s work. “It also highlights the importance of training and fitness for them and represents a platform to acquaint the world with the delicate nature and importance of their work,” he said. 

For his part, Dr. Jaber Al Jaberi, Director General of the Occupational Safety and Health Center – Abu Dhabi (OSHAD), said: “The Occupational Safety and Health Middle East (OSH ME), now in its second edition, is a specialized hub that brings together government and private institutions and companies and provides a platform to attract suppliers of occupational safety and health equipment, leaders, experts, and professionals, in addition to occupational safety and health professionals under one roof to reinforce innovation,  examine the latest developments, technologies, and products and identify the most important challenges to the occupational health and safety systems.”

Dr. Al Jaberi added that the exhibition contributes to the exchange of expertise and knowledge, and to identify the best practices in this sector. It also aims to enhance coordination and cooperation with international, regional and local organizations and institutions to guarantee safe, secure and healthy workplace environments for employees, as well as to enhance performance and productivity.

He then noted that the Occupational Safety and Health Middle East (OSH ME), Exhibition and Conference that will be launched under the theme “Occupational Safety and Health – Prevention, Security and Safety” will include a number of pavilions. “The conference will focus on the occupational safety and health systems, the management of occupational safety and health incidents, the role of security systems within facilities, and the occupational health and emergencies management services. International speakers from five different countries are expected to participate with different papers to be presented to 400 participants,” he said. He also indicated that 16 workshops will be organized and presented by an elite group of international and local experts and specialists. The workshops will tackle the best programs, projects and best practices in this field. Attendance is expected to exceed 300 persons.

Dr. Al Jaberi revealed that the event will include four live shows that will take place over the course of three days. The shows will tackle the most important occupational safety and health procedures in setting up and dismantling scaffolds, incidents and investigation mechanisms. He continued: “A live show will highlight the correct procedures adopted in buildings to clean exterior glass walls, in addition to other performances for school students and shows to display personal protection equipment by specialized international companies.”

Colonel Waleed Al Shamesi, Chairman of the Shows and Events Committee, said that the exhibition’s official opening ceremony will be unconventional and exciting; and will shed the light on the Ministry of Interior’s role in providing protection and safety for community members. “The ceremony will also include a variety of other shows that highlight the Ministry of Interior’s development.

Commenting on the launch of the first edition of the ISNR Innovative Ideas Award, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Nasser Al Baker, Vice-President of the ISNR Award for Innovative Ideas’ Organizing Committee, explained that the award was launched in response to the directives of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. He said: “The award reflects His Highness’ keenness to encourage students of universities, institutes, faculties and high schools in the UAE to contribute scientific innovations and to develop their research capabilities across the country’s institutions.

He added: “The ISNR Award for Innovative Ideas is a new addition to the excellence and innovation award system launched by the Ministry of Interior to establish the new concepts of life and work, and launch the creativity and innovation motivations in the different work fields and police sectors in the country. It also aims at enhancing the creativity, innovation and invention among students, enshrining competition among them, and investing future generations and inciting talents over scientific and technical innovation that serve the society’s security and safety”.

Ara Fernezian, Divisional Managing Director at Reed Exhibitions, gave an overview of the new events and activities to be launched at the prestigious ISNR 2016, in addition to the expanded existing events. “This gesture comes in response to the feedback received from 20,-000 visitors from 90 countries and 500 exhibitors from 50 countries,” he noted. 

Adding further, he said: “The International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience “ISNR Abu Dhabi 2016” has managed to earn a leading position as the world’s biggest event in the field of national security and resilience for 2016 and will occupy a total area of about 20,000 square meters, which marks a 70 percent increase compared to the 2014 edition.” He also noted that ISNR 2016 is expected to build on the success it has achieved in the 2014 edition, and to cement its reputation as a prestigious communication platform, which is expected to host 3,000 scheduled meetings between governmental buyers and exhibitors, marking an increase of 60 percent, ultimately driving growth in the homeland security and risk prevention market in the region. 

Fernezian explained that exhibitors from 10 countries are getting ready to take part for the first time in ISNR 2016 – which includes more than 60 seminars and 10 live events and simulation-based activities related to emergency preparedness and disaster prevention. It also includes 10 workshops and two conferences. New and innovative products and solutions will also be presented during this year’s edition. 

Towards the end of the event, the participants in the conference answered the questions and queries of the various media representatives. 

The press conference was attended by Brigadier Jassem Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Committee’s Secretariat and members of the Supreme Committee, along with a number of MoI’s officers, representatives of Reed Exhibitions Company, and Mohammed Al Ahmadi, Managing Director of 911 Challenge.