As policy leaders wrapped up the Manama Dialog, an international security conference in Bahrain, maritime and naval leaders commenced their meetings in Abu Dhabi to discuss practical implementation of those policies and improving the ability of nations and partners to meet growing challenges to maritime security, safety and sovereignty.

The IQPC Offshore Patrol Vessel conference at the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi is being attended by naval, coast guard, security, and other maritime and military professionals. The conference is chaired by Rear Admiral Ahmed Al Sabab Al Teneiji, former chief of naval forces for the UAE Navy.

Taking place in a busy port city in the Arabian Gulf, the conference is examining security challenges and priorities throughout the Middle East, Africa and the world.

Three full days of speakers and presentations are planned, with one day focused on maritime surveillance. Scheduled distinguished speakers include Commodore Keith Blount RN, Maritime Commander, UK Maritime Component Commander; Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar SI(M), Director General, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency; Vice Admiral Osama El-Gendy, Chief of Naval Forces, Egyptian Navy; Staff Commodore Ala’a Abdulla Seyadee, Commander, Bahrain Coast Guard; Major General Ahmad Yusuf Al Mulla, former commander of the Kuwaiti Navy and current Special Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Kuwait; and Marine Brigadier General Ghanem Mubarak Al- Hajri, Deputy Flotilla Commander, Qatar Emiri Naval Forces. 

Also speaking will be Col. Martin Cauchi-Inglott, Armed Forces of Malta, Assistant Chief of Staff for External Relations for the European Union Military Staff; Captain Robert Hendrickson, Commander, Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia; Piet Van Rooij, Manager Design Proposal, Damen Shipyards; Fernando Tirado, Bunker and Lubricant Trader, International Bunkering; Daniel Fede, Technical Project Leader, CNS – Solutions Support GmbH (Frequentis Group); Commodore Zain Zulfiqar, Commander, Patrol Squadron 10, Pakistan Navy; Captain Efthimios Mikros, Director, Plans and Policy Directorate, General Staff, Hellenic Navy. Other presenters include Italian Navy Commodore (R) Michele Cosentino, a naval expert who writes for  Rivista Italiana Difesa magazine, and Captain (R) Edward Lundquist, Principal Science Writer, MCR Federal, who is serving as moderator for the event.

“This is the continuation of a series of very successful OPV conferences here in the Middle East,” said Michael Champion, conference producer for Defence IQ, a division of IQPC. “Our hosts in Abu Dhabi are very interested in hearing the latest trends, developments and thoughts about maritime security in this region, as are all of our delegates. What happens in the maritime domain here affects the entire world.”

“We have representatives from every GCC nation, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE,” Champion said.