As the countdown begins for the seventh edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), the organising committee provided an update on the preparations and an overview of the event at a diplomat briefing session at Sharq Village and Spa on 21 February.
According to the organisers, DIMDEX 2022 is shaping up to be the biggest and most diverse edition ever, with more than 200 companies from nearly 20 countries set to showcase their products and capabilities. The biennial event, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, hosted and organised by Qatar Armed Forces, will take place from 21 to 23 March 2022 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). It will be under the theme of ‘Connecting the World’s Maritime Defence and Security Community.’
DIMDEX 2022 Features
An overview of the progress DIMDEX has achieved over previous editions was presented to the diplomats and other high-level delegates attending the briefing session. The DIMDEX Organising Committee also shared details on various aspects and attractions of the upcoming edition, including:
- the main exhibition
- the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC)
- the Visiting Warships Display at Hamad Port
- the opportunity to network with VIPs and senior defence decision-makers comprising Ministers of Defence, Chiefs of Staff, Chiefs of Navies, Coastguard Commanders and heads of defence industries.
Ministry of Public Health officials and Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services representatives provided details of the medical preparedness plan in place for the event, including COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Details on the hospitality and services for Official VIP delegations were also shared with the Diplomats, along with insights on the logistics and security for visiting warships that will be hosted at Hamad Port. DIMDEX 2022 visitors will get a chance to get up close with an array of warships from navies around the world. While DIMDEX 2018 featured nine warships from seven countries, the organising committee expects to have 15-20 warships in the upcoming edition. The crew of the visiting warships will be welcomed to discover Doha and the activities associated with the event. This includes a crew sports tournament that will be held to promote camaraderie between visiting crews.
MENC
The MENC, which will take place on the second day of the three-day event, is one of the most popular features of DIMDEX. At the briefing, participants were provided details of the event, including the conference theme – “Resilience in the Maritime Domain – Confronting Asymmetric Threats”- and information about the keynote speakers. At the conference, a panel that will include experts from academia and leading industry figures will discuss a variety of topical issues in the maritime domain and attempt to find globally applicable solutions to what is one of the most daunting challenges the domain faces – asymmetric threats.
DIMDEX, which has grown both in scope and size over the years since the inaugural edition in 2008, will have a larger exhibition space at DIMDEX 2022 than previous editions. In an area landscaped over 35,000 sqm at the QNCC, exhibitors will showcase their products and capabilities, in addition to networking with key decision makers from Qatar and other countries.
JH
