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DIMDEX 2010: Middle East Naval Commanders Conference: "Delivering Security at Sea: Policy, Technology, and Operations"
30th March, 2010
Background :
The last two years have seen significant developments affecting maritime security in the MENA region. The capabilities, ambitions and sophistication of pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa has captured the attention of world, as pirates have sought bigger and more lucrative targets. This has required a rethink of the methods used to secure shipping, and it has also brought the entry of new foreign powers, into the region’s waters, alongside other established navies. Notable, also has been the establishment a French naval base, at the centre of the Gulf, in Abu Dhabi. Other mainstays of maritime security in the MENA region though persist. The threat of irregular warfare refuses to disappear as the potential for regional conflict continues.
Conference Theme :
The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference will bring together chiefs of navies and fleet commanders from across the Gulf Coorperation Council (GCC) alongside their counterparts from around Europe, Asia, and North America at the biggest Maritime security conference in the Middle East in 2010.
The conference will address three areas central to maritime security; the policy priorities of the region’s navies; the technologies that can help deliver security at sea; and the challenges faced in the conduct of operations .
Three plenary sessions will explore these headline topics with addresses from chiefs of navies, alongside top level officials, fleet commanders, and RUSI experts.
PLENARY SESSION 1 - Policy Priorities for Naval Commanders
What are the priorities for naval commanders in the MENA region – military capabilities, information technology, or political co-operation? What is the evolving nature of the threat environment, and how can energy transit and commercial shipping be secured? Are regional and international collaborative structures working? Is inter-operability limiting co-operation? And, are international legal frameworks adequate?
PLENARY SESSION 2 – Technology and Naval Capabilities
Are ‘hi-tech’ or ‘lo-tech’ solutions the most appropriate means to enhance naval capabilities? Should focus be given to IT and network-enabling technologies, or more basic and affordable systems? Are weaknesses in information collection, sharing, or analysis preventing greater maritime domain awareness? And, what organisational and doctrinal changes are required to accommodate the new technology?
PLENARY SESSION 3 – Maritime Security Operations
How are Combined Task Force 151 in the Arabian Gulf and Combined Task Force 152 off the coast of Somalia, performing in delivering maritime security in the region? What lessons do operations to tackle of piracy off the Horn of Africa hold for irregular warfare at sea? How is the entry of emerging global maritime nations into the region’s waters likely to impact the region? Is the time right for the creation of a regional naval task force?
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS :
Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, Commander, United States (US) Navy 5th Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command
Admiral Luciano Zappata, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO
Rear Admiral Bruno Nielly, Force Commander of French Armed Forces for the Indian Ocean Region (ALINDIEN)
Admiral Norman Bashir, Chief of Navy, Pakistan
Professor Michael Clarke, Director, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI)
Admiral Sir Ian Forbes, Associate Fellow, RUSI; Chair, The Naval Review; former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (NATO); and Senior Executive Adviser Booz & Co
Michael Codner, Director, Military Sciences Department, RUSI
Why Attend ?
The DIMDEX Middle East Naval Commanders Conference is a unique gathering of top level naval commanders from around the world. It will provide a focussed forum for strategic discussion on the specific challenges faced in maritime security in the Middle East and North Africa region. The agenda will provide valuable insights into the thinking of policymakers, senior military commanders and partners in industry. It is a rare occasion that will enable individuals to keep abreast of developments, and the opportunity to network with the most influential officials in the field.
The 2nd Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX) :
Founded in 2008, DIMDEX is the only specialised maritime defence exhibition to serve the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. DIMDEX 2010 is supported by the Qatar Armed Forces, hosted by Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, and organised by QMDI. The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference - produced in partnership between DIMDEX and RUSI (Qatar) - will accompany the DIMDEX 2010 Exhibition. The Exhibition will run from 29-31 March 2010, with the Conference taking place on 30 March 2010.
Conference produced in partnership with :
About RUSI (Qatar) :
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is an independent think tank engaged in defence and security research. Founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington, RUSI embodies nearly two centuries of forward thinking, free discussion and careful reflection on defence and security matters. RUSI (Qatar) is the Doha branch of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies ( RUSI). For more information please visit www.rusi.org/qatar