Doha, 06 March 2024

The eighth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024), hosted and organised by Qatar Armed Forces at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), concluded today with strong presence from international and local exhibitors and a large number of visitors.

2024 DIMDEX ran from 4 to 6 March held under the theme 'Igniting the Future Of Maritime Security and Beyond' achieved unprecedented success, surpassing all previous editions. During the show, more than QAR 5 billion worth of contracts were signed in addition to various MoUs and Letters of Intent.

Over 25,000 visitors witnessed over more than 200 international and national display of latest innovative defense and maritime products from more than 200 international and national companies in addition to 9 international pavilions.

Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al-Ansari, Chairman of the Organising Committee of DIMDEX 2024 in his concluding remarks sdaid that the eighth edition of DIMDEX was a resounding success, with a large number of international and local companies participating, as well as more than 110 official VIP delegations.

He revealed that this year, the value of contracts exceeded QAR 5 billion, reaffirming the international exhibition's position as a major platform for companies to facilitate agreements and lock-in commercial contracts.

Large participation of international maritime defence and security organizations along with the number of visitors emphasized its importance as one of the specialized events in the international maritime defence and security domain, in line with the country's strategy to strengthen its global position in hosting expertise-led major events.

DIMDEX also highlighted the latest innovations in the fields of technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, which have all proven critical to the success of today’s defence missions.

He said that DIMDEX demonstrates the State of Qatar's commitment to offering a platform for showcasing the most modern defence innovations, as well as an opportunity for major companies to showcase solutions to the most pressing current and future challenges.

The event also highlighted the country’s efforts to build long-term partnerships, expand economic prospects, and stimulate growth. We look forward to a new and successful edition of DIMDEX in 2026, as we continue to contribute to the goals of the National Vision 2030 of achieving economic diversification and promoting development across various fields.

National companies, authorities, and institutions had a notable presence, with an active participation from the Qatar Armed Forces and its various branches. The event also witnessed the inauguration of Project 401 for Special Operations, which features Special Operations Training Centres dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of special forces and counter-terrorism units globally.

The maritime defence exhibition this year expanded its offerings to include other critical defence categories that complement the maritime ecosystem's safety and security, with exhibitors showcasing their latest innovations and integrated solutions in this domain.

In addition to the main exhibition, the event hosted the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference in partnership with the Strategic Studies Centre, and featured international speakers, academics and military leaders.

Hamad Port Qatar welcomed 8 warships as part of the visiting warships display. Maj. Gen. (Dr/Air) Rashid HamadAl-Nuaimi, Commander of the Strategic Studies Centre of the Qatar Armed

• • Forces said:“We are honoured to organise the Middle East  Naval Commanders Conference which brings together military leaders, academics and experts to discuss the challenges facing maritime security and their impact on global economies and the strategies needed to over come them. By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of these military leaders, academics and experts, the conference aims to delve into various critical topics that touch on the maritime security domain, the security of sea crossings and the important role technology and artificial intelligence can play in achieving and enhancing maritime security as a whole.”

    Maj. Gen. (Navy) Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Sulaiti, Commander of the Qatar Amiri Naval Forces, said: “Today,

    maritime security has become a critical matter, as the seas and oceans represent the most important routes for the movement of global trade between countries with the maritime sector contributing significantly to the global economy. The conference will address the economic, regional, and global implications of maritime challenges, as well as delve deeply into the perspectives and extensive knowledge of experts and

    professionals, benefiting from their industry related and practical experiences in dealing with these challenges, and o8ering potential strategies that can contribute to setting a solutions framework.”

    The conference's theme comes in line with the current challenges facing maritime trade routes, which account for over 90% of global trade, leading to disruptions in the global economy.

    Two sessions featuring high-level speakers The conference was divided into two sessions, with high-level

    speakers providing in-depth insights into the best practices to deal with current maritime challenges.

    The<rst session was moderated by Prof. Osama Kubbar, a senior expert and policy analyst at the Strategic Studies Centre of the Qatar University, addressed the role of advanced technology in the security and defence industry, while Marine Maj. General Emmanuel Salers, Commander of Indian Ocean Naval Regional

    and Commander of the French forces stationed in the United Arab Emirates, spoke on the safety of maritime navigation and the preservation of submarine cables and continental shelf. For

    his part,  Dr. Mohamed  AlDuranni, Assistant Professor of Cyber security at the Qatar Community College, addressed the advantages and disadvantages of arti<cial intelligence.

    For more information and registration for the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference, please visit www.dimdex.com.

  Staff Maj Gen. (Dr/Air) Rashid Hamad Al-Nuaimi, Commander of the Strategic Studies Centre of the Qatar Armed

  Forces said: “We are honoured to organise the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference which brings together military leaders, academics and experts to discuss the challenges facing maritime security and their impact on global economies and the strategies needed to over come them. By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of these military leaders, academics and experts, the conference aims to delve into various critical to pics that touch on the maritime security domain, the security ofsea crossings and the important role technology and arti<cial intelligence can play in achieving and enhancing maritime security as a whole.”

  Maj. Gen. (Navy) Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Sulaiti, Commander of the Qatar Amiri Naval Forces, said: “Today,

  maritime security has become a critical matter, as the seas and oceans represent the most import an troutes for the movement of global trade between countries with the maritime sector contributing significantly to the global economy.

  AlSulaiti said the conference will address the economic, regional, and global implications of maritime challenges, as well as delve deeply into the perspectives and extensive knowledge of experts and professionals, benefiting from their industry related and practical experiences in dealing with these challenges, and o8ering potential strategies that can contribute to setting a solutions framework.”

  The conference's theme comes inline with the current challenges facing maritime trade routes, which account for over 90% of global trade, leading to disruptions in the global economy.

  Two sessions featuring high-level speakers. The conference was divided into two sessions, with high-level

  speakers providing in-depth insights in to the best practices to deal with current maritime challenges. The<rstsession was moderated by Prof. Osama Kubbar, a senior expert and  policy analysis tat the Strategic Studies Centre  of the Qatar University, addressed the role of advanced technology in the security and defence industry, while Marine Maj. Gen. E mmanuel Salers, Commander of Indian Ocean Naval Regional and Commander of the French forces stationed in the United Arab Emirates.

  Arab Emirates, spoke on the safety of maritime navigation and the preservation of submarine cables and continental shelf. For his part, Dr. Mohamed AlDuranni, Assistant Prof. Cyber security at the Qatar Community College, add over ressed the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence.

  For more information and registration for the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference, please visitwww.dimdex.com. You can also follow our social media pages on Platform X, Facebook, and YouTube at @DIMDEX_Qatar

Doha, 03 March 2024 (Qatar Tribune)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

The eighth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) will kick off today, under the patronage of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Organised and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces, this year’s edition will witness the largest ever participation of exhibitors displaying land and air forces equipment, Staff Brig. (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh Al Ansari, Chairman of the Organising Committee of DIMDEX, has announced.

Addressing a pre-event press conference on Sunday at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), venue of the 8th DIMDEX Exhibition and Conference, Ansari said the event would run until March 6 under the theme ‘Igniting the Future of Maritime Security and Beyond’.

The press conference was also attended by Staff Maj. Gen. (Doctor/Air) Rashid Hamad Al Nuaimi, Commander of the Strategic Studies Centre of the Qatar Armed Forces; and Brig. Gen. Ali Harib Al Harib, Deputy Commander of Qatar Emiri Signal Corps and Director of Project 401 for Special Operations.

AlAnsari said the eighth edition of DIMDEX will feature more than 200 international and national companies specialized in security and defence, in addition to nine major international pavilions, as well as renowned national and local companies and the various branches of the Qatar Armed Forces.

He added that event will showcase the latest defence innovations and technology over the full capacity of seven halls across 35,000 square metres, as well as additional outdoor space.

Staff Brig. Ansari pointed out that DIMDEX this year is characterised by the presence of the largest number of official delegations, reaching 110 official VIP delegations, further strengthening DIMDEX’s position on the international stage.

He added that the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference will be held on the second day of the event in partnership with the Strategic Studies Centre of the Qatar Armed Forces, under the title ‘Economic Growth Prospects Amidst Security Challenges and Their Global Impact’, with the participation of thought leaders and military officials.

He said, “In this edition, we will also witness the announcement of Project 401 for the Special Operations, which includes special operations training centres specialized in developing the capabilities of special forces and global antiterrorism units.

“Over the course of three days, the event is expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors from across the maritime defence and security ecosystem to explore the latest advanced solutions and defence technologies', he added.

He said that the event also provides opportunities to meet and communicate directly with high-level official delegations, military leaders, representatives of government and defence procurement agencies, contributing to the signing of new contracts and agreements with potential buyers and offering business opportunities for companies'.

He added that the event is also a platform to exchange knowledge and expertise, gain new insights on various defence-related matters and a deeper understanding of emerging geopolitical and security.

Islamabad, 03 March 2024 (Daily Dawn)

After being elected as the 24th premier of Pakistan on Sunday, PM-elect Shehbaz Sharif vowed to steer the country “back to shore” with the help of allied parties in his second tenure in the top office.

Shehbaz won the prime minister’s election today after clinching 201 votes against his PTI-backed opponent from the Sunni Ittehdad Council (SIC) Omar Ayub Khan, who managed to secure 92 votes.

Following the announcement by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Shehbaz hugged his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, former three times elected prime minister of the country.

In his first speech on the floor of the newly elected house as the PM-elect, Shehbaz said that big challenges lay ahead in Pakistan’s path but they could be overcome “if we come together and decide to change the country’s fate” by taking it to its rightful position.

As he thanked his brother and allied parties for posing their trust in him by electing him as the leader of the house again, PTI-backed lawmakers from the SIC chanted slogans from the opposition benches, calling the siblings “thieves” — possibly a reference to their claim that the PML-N stole the mandate given to them by the public.

“There are talented people sitting in this Parliament who can steer Pakistan’s ship to the shore […] including journalists, intellectuals, politicians, religious leaders,” Shehbaz added.

He asserted that PML-N and coalition parties would play their role as “Pakistanis, Muslims, and human beings” to steer the country out of the crisis it currently faces even though the “job is difficult but not impossible”.

“When my leader (Nawaz) was elected the prime minister thrice, the development that ensued in the country is an example of its own. And it is not wrong to say that Nawaz Sharif is the one who built Pakistan,” Shehbaz said.

The PM-elect also paid tribute to close ally PPP’s founding leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was hanged to death in the past, saying the nation would always “remember his sacrifices”.

Shehbaz said his party could never even think of bringing any harm to the country, unlike his opponents.

“They put the entire opposition behind bars, they didn’t care about women or children and used language that cannot be uttered out loud,” he said on the floor of the National Assembly.

“This is the difference between this leadership and that leadership […] the entire assembly is witness to the fact that we never thought of the politics of revenge.

“Neither a pot was broken, nor any building was ever damaged […] but it shameful that the country saw a day when GHQ, corps commander houses, airfields were attacked on May 9,” Shehbaz said, adding that such events were unforgettable.

Alarming debt crisis

The PM-elect lamented the alarming debt crisis faced by the country, saying that even the National Assembly’s expenditures were being paid through borrowed money.

“But if we decide to do a deep surgery and bring changes in the system, basic reform […] I have no doubt that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, and others will agree that we can either get rid of a ‘life of debt’ or we move forward with heads down in shame.

“No, this will not happen, we will rise and we will make Pakistan self-sufficient,” he asserted.

Promises end to electricity and tax theft

Shehbaz promised to end to electricity and tax theft during his second tenure, saying that he was aware of the burden of inflation being faced by the public, especially the lower class.

“Electricity and tax thefts are a matter of life and death for Pakistan […] and I want to say that God willing we will remove this cancer from its roots and make the country stand on its feet.

“It is difficult […] it is a long and thorny journey full of hurdles, but countries that surmounted these challenges became one of the most [advanced] nations around the world,” Shehbaz said, adding that he would oversee the end of tax theft and bring a technological model which would remove any human error.

“This will decrease inflation, increase employment, and the country will grow,” he said.

‘Will provide specialised training for 500,000 students’

PM-elect Shehbaz said his government will provide specialised training to 500,000 young students.

“These young students will not take jobs, but they will give jobs,” the newly elected prime minister said, elaborating that the training will include the use of technology and artificial intelligence.

Packages, subsidies for farmers

Shehbaz promised that his government would provide subsidies directly to farmers and that a package on solar tube-wells would also be announced soon.

“The seed mafia will be eliminated and we will import seeds from the best countries in the world and provide them to farmers,” he said, adding that the first batch of these seeds would be provided free of cost.

Shehbaz also said that the Centre would work with all four provinces in the sectors of agriculture.

He also promised to bring investment into the country and create an economic environment that would spur growth, and vowed to spread a web of “one window” export zones in all four provinces and work day and night to fulfill all these promises.

‘To widen web of public transport’

Shehbaz said he would spread a vast web of efficient public transport across the country.

Continuing his victory speech in the National Assembly, he promised state-of-the-art hospitals and medical facilities.

“I want to make an announcement here today […] we will provide all the talented students with an opportunity to study abroad so that they can make Pakistan proud across the world,” he said.

Shehbaz also said his government would work on building a system through which swift justice will be provided.

He also announced that women and children behind bars, whose sentences were less than two years, would be freed.

‘No forgiveness for May 9 perpetrators’

However, the PM-elect said the perpetrators of the May 9 riots will not be forgiven, vowing action against all those who were involved in the attack on state installations.

At the same time, he also said that justice would be dispensed to all those who were not involved in the riots.

Shehbaz promised that his government would put an end to terrorism and its roots once and for all. He said his aim was to take the National Action Plan forward.

Lauds female cop for saving woman’s life from mob

The PM-elect also lauded the female Lahore police officer ASP Shehr Bano Naqvi for protecting the life of a woman clad in an Arabic print shirt from a mob attack last week.

Shehbaz said harassment of women anywhere was unacceptable, adding that they would be provided with equal job opportunities and remuneration during his tenure.

Free visas for brotherly nations

Shehbaz announced that citizens of Pakistan’s brotherly countries would be provided visa-free entry into Pakistan, saying that it would increase trade between the countries.

He added that his government would set a goal for Pakistan to become a member of G20 countries by 2030.

Calls out global silence on Gaza

The PM-elect called out the international community for its silence and inaction on the situation in Gaza and held Kashmir.

“Let’s all come together […] and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians,” he stressed.

Towards the end of his victory speech, Shehbaz said the nation only awaited the results of “our hard work” and not the election results.

“The country wants justice,” the PM-elect concluded as part of his closing remarks of his maiden speech as prime minister for the second time.

Doha, 01 March 2024

The captivating ambience, diverse facilities, and culinary offerings at Expo Doha 2023-4 have become preferred venue for Qatar-based diplomatic missions, who choose Expo Doha as the venue to commemorate their National Days, showcasing their rich cultures and heritage. Beyond the allure, Expo Doha is serving as a platform to foster environmental awareness among regional and international bodies, aligning with its overarching objectives.

The Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye with the support of Expo Doha 2023 authorities commemorated its National Day at Expo Doha 2023, showcasing its vibrant culture, rich heritage, and illustrious history in a remarkable, extraordinary , and distinctive manner, which helped in further projecting the mission of Expo horticulture worldwide as well as added to the great success of Doha Expo 2023 hosted by State of Qatar.

 Doha, 01 March 2024

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, led Qatar’s delegation to the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which is held in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.

Speaking at the meeting, Al-Kaabi said: “The State of Qatar sees the critical need for a common vision for a fair, balanced, and sustainable energy transition, especially in the face of unrealistic targets or the emotional rhetoric calling to cancel oil and gas.”

He  said: “Energy transition is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of all stakeholders including end users, whose consumption patterns impact the level of demand and influence choices for energy generation.

'We, in the State of Qatar, have always reaffirmed our long-standing position in support of natural gas as a pivotal component of any energy mix on the road to a realistic transition. We also envisage natural gas as the main vehicle for fair and equitable access to cleaner energy.”

In his concluding remarks,  Minister Al-Kaabi called for meeting the challenges facing the energy industry, saying: 'It is critically important that we work together to ensure the security of energy supplies and the stability of markets through the uninterrupted availability of energy sources'.

The GECF extraordinary ministerial meeting was held in preparation of the 7^th Heads of State and Government Summit, which will convene in Algiers tomorrow, Saturday the 2^nd of March.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum is a gathering of the world’s leading gas exporting countries that aims to build a mechanism for a more meaningful dialogue between gas producers and consumers to ensure stability and security of supply and demand in global natural gas markets.

On the sidelines of GECF summit in Algeria, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs of Qatar met his counterparts from Egypt, Nigeria, Mauritania, Senegal and Venezuela.  AlKaabi discussed on energy relations, cooperation between Qatar and their respective countries and means to enhance them, as well as issues related to the Forum.