The International Defense Conference 2026 confirms Abu Dhabi’s position as a global platform for leading the future of defense and autonomous technologies
ABU DHABI, 30 December / WAM / The ADNEC Group announced that it is organizing the activities of the International Defense Conference (IDC) 2026, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Office for Special Affairs, Chairman of the Intelligent Autonomous Systems Council, in cooperation with the Tawazun Council for Defense Empowerment and the Ministry of Defence, before the launch of the activities of the seventh session of the Unmanned Systems (UMEX) and Simulation and Training (SIMTEX) exhibitions. 2026, at ADNEC Abu Dhabi Center on January 19, 2026.
The conference will be held under the slogan “Smart Horizons: Redefining the Defense Sector’s Independence Through Artificial Intelligence Applications,” to form a high-level international platform that brings together defense and security leaders, decision-makers and experts from around the world to discuss the rapid transformations taking place in the global defense and security sector, and the growing role of smart technologies and autonomous systems in redrawing the features of modern defense systems.
His Excellency Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council, said: “The International Defense Conference 2026 comes at a pivotal time in which the global defense sector is witnessing accelerating transformations driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, which reflects the importance of this conference as a strategic platform for exchanging visions and building qualitative partnerships that contribute to enhancing defense readiness and technical independence.”
He added: “We affirm our commitment to supporting the defense innovation system, empowering national industries, and enhancing integration between government agencies and the industrial and technical sectors, in line with the UAE’s aspirations to build an advanced and sustainable defense sector, based on knowledge and advanced technology.”
Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “The International Defense Conference, on the sidelines of UMEX and SimTEX 2026, embodies our continued commitment to supporting specialized global platforms that bring together decision-makers and sector leaders to discuss the future of defense and advanced technologies. The conference reflects Abu Dhabi’s position as an international center for strategic dialogue and innovation in the fields of unmanned systems and smart autonomy, and contributes to strengthening international partnerships and developing solutions that support the security and stability of societies in the long term.”
The International Defense Conference 2026 focuses on reviewing the latest global trends in the fields of artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and simulation, and their role in enhancing defense readiness and building more flexible systems capable of responding to future challenges, in addition to examining the strategic, regulatory, and ethical dimensions accompanying the adoption of these technologies, which contributes to supporting regional and international stability and strengthening frameworks of cooperation between countries.
The conference agenda includes three main sessions, starting with the session “Future Command Networks – The New Nervous System for Defense,” which discusses the role of systems supported by artificial intelligence in developing the concepts of command, control and coordination, and enhancing the integration of human leaders, coalition partners and independent technologies within interconnected and flexible defense systems, while highlighting the strategic and organizational challenges associated with building trust and digital readiness.
The second session is entitled “Independent Force – Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Joint and Tactical Operations,” which reviews the experiences of integrating smart and unmanned systems into joint military operations across the fields of land, sea, air, and cyberspace, with a focus on the development of the relationship between human decision-making and independent decision support systems, and the lessons learned from modern conflicts.
The concluding session of the conference addresses “Global Standards for Independence – Building Confidence, Safety, and Readiness,” which examines ways to harmonize regulatory frameworks and standards of security and ethics between governments, industry, and international organizations, in a way that enhances confidence in independent military platforms, supports the readiness of global markets, and enables safe and sustainable cooperation between allied countries.
The International Defense Conference will be held one day before the launch of UMEX and SimTEX 2026, as part of an integrated system of specialized events organized by the ADNEC Group, which enhances Abu Dhabi’s position as a global center for specialized exhibitions and conferences, and contributes to advancing innovation and knowledge exchange in the unmanned systems and advanced defense sector.
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