Next edition of ISNR Abu Dhabi to double in size

ISNR Abu Dhabi 2008 was held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces.

"We expect the 2010 edition of ISNR Abu Dhabi to occupy nearly 26,000 square metres which is a doubling of space from the current edition. A number of exhibitors at this edition have already confirmed their presence at the next show", said Brigadier Matar Salem Bin Mesayed Al Neyadi, Chairman - ISNR Abu Dhabi Organizing Committee. "Other sectors such as preparedness, crisis management and rescue operations will be added as focus areas at the exhibition. The next event will also increase its emphasis on knowledge-gathering opportunities via conferences and networking", he said.

"6,000 visitors from 42 countries attended this edition of ISNR Abu Dhabi and we are very pleased with the quality of visitors at the show. Officials from the interior and defense ministries from the region, staff involved in management of security and emergency planning for ports, airports, borders, urban transport systems and government facilities, and facilities directors attended the show. In 2010, visitor numbers are expected to increase substantially", said Frederic Theux, President of Reed Exhibitions Middle East.

ISNR Abu Dhabi was organized by Reed Exhibitions Middle East with the support of the UAE Ministry of Interior.

A number of high-profile dignitaries participated at ISNR Abu Dhabi including HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces who visited the show and toured the exhibition halls.

The show was opened on Sunday 2nd March by His Highness Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Interior. Other senior sheikhs, ministers, ambassadors and other VIPs were among the visitors to the event.

"ISNR Abu Dhabi 2008 has built a strong platform and the event will go from strength to strength in the coming years to emerge as the region's premier event on homeland security", said Theux.

Stating that a number of business deals were signed at this year's ISNR Abu Dhabi Brigadier Al Neyadi cited the examples of the AED 3 billion "DERA project" and the HARES project agreement. The "DERA Project" was signed by CNIA (Critical National Infrastructure Authority), ISNR Abu Dhabi's principal sponsor, with AGT/AIS, a key participant at ISNR Abu Dhabi. Under the terms of the agreement, AGT/AIS will offer a fully integrated security solution for all of Abu Dhabi's utilities and vital assets. AGT/AIS also announced a AED 271 million order from the UAE GHQ (General Headquarters) for the HARES project.

ISNR Abu Dhabi featured 147 specialist companies from 20 countries displaying a range of equipment and technology aimed at counter terrorism, intelligence and threat assessment, border and transport security, critical infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness, and crisis management and response.

Occupying 13,400 square meters of gross space, the exhibition featured four national pavilions from the US, the UK, Switzerland and Germany. Exhibitors from 16 other countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Lebanon, France, Bulgaria, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, India and Singapore are also taking part.

Official delegations from 17 countries attended the show.

The delegations were led by top officials such as the Ministers of Interior, Chiefs of Defense & Security, and Heads of National Security Organizations, and included senior officials involved in the development, selection and procurement of security systems and equipment in their respective organizations.

The ISNR Abu Dhabi Conference which was held on 2 March featured expert speakers including top police and security officials from the UAE, the UK, France, Germany, the US and Canada.

The conference was organized by the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), in close cooperation with UAE's Ministry of Interior and Reed Exhibitions Middle East.