Abu Dhabi: The International Defence Conference (IDC) 2025 will take place on 16th February under the theme “Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration and Resilience.” The event coincides with the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) and Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, the conference is organized by ADNEC Group in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence and in collaboration with the Tawazun Council. IDC serves as a global platform bringing together key decision-makers, experts, and leaders from around the world. The event aims to promote collaboration among nations, institutions, and defence companies by discussing global issues and threats and presenting solutions to overcome future challenges.
The conference will feature three key sessions: “Global Disruptions and Defence Preparedness: Mitigating Threats to Critical Supply Chains,” “Disinformation and Influence Operations: The Weaponisation of Information in Modern Conflicts,” and “Space: The New Arena for Defence and Security.”
The first session will begin with an opening address discussing the importance of fostering international collaboration and developing innovative defense solutions to address global challenges. It will explore the unprecedented challenges posed by global disruptions, including geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and pandemics. Furthermore, the speech will focus on enhancing the resilience of critical supply chains for defense and national security through collaboration between governments and various sectors. The role of technological innovations introduced by startups in strengthening the stability of the supply chains will also be discussed.
In the session titled “Disinformation and Influence Operations: The Weaponisation of Information in Modern Conflicts,” the focus will be on tactics of misinformation, the role of artificial intelligence in developing disinformation campaigns, and their impact on the stability of societies and political systems. The session will also review methods of misinformation used by states and non-governmental entities, the impact of artificial intelligence and deepfakes on disinformation campaigns, the role of social media platforms, and strategies for detecting and countering disinformation.
The third session, “Space: The New Arena for Defence and Security,” will address the growing importance of space in defense and modern warfare. It will focus on the increasing threats and opportunities in this domain, marked by a rise in satellite launches and the use of commercial satellites in combat operations. The session will outline the importance of developing new technologies for Space Situational Awareness (SSA), missile defense, secure satellite communications, and enhancing resilient space assets.
Featuring high-level international participation, IDC will host prominent figures in defence, economics, and technology, including Dr. Yossi Sheffi, Director of the MIT Centre for Transportation and Logistics, along with senior military leaders from various nations. The event will conclude with a dedicated session presenting strategic recommendations to shape the framework for future defence programmes.