As part of the ninth edition of the DIMDEX 2026, the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC) convened on Tuesday, bringing together senior naval commanders, defence officials, strategic experts, and academics to address key issues shaping the future of maritime security.
Under the patronage and in the presence of Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, the Conference was organised in collaboration with the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies under the theme ‘Defence Diplomacy and Maritime Security Challenges’.
It was held at the Conference Hall of the Qatar National Convention Centre and was attended by HE Lt General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Chief of Staff of Qatar Armed Forces, alongside high-level delegations, ministers, ambassadors, naval commanders, maritime experts, specialists, and academics from around the world.
Sheikh Saoud said in his speech: “Recent experiences have demonstrated that military power alone is insufficient to address today’s challenges, whether regional conflicts, transnational threats, or non-traditional risks such as cybersecurity, terrorism, and the protection of maritime routes and global supply chains. Here, defence diplomacy emerges as a platform for dialogue, partnership-building, and the strengthening of cooperation among all relevant stakeholders.”
“Defence diplomacy addresses the management of differences through sustainable coordination channels and cooperative mechanisms based on mutual respect and shared interests, thereby contributing to the consolidation of stability, the reduction of escalation risks, and the enhancement of trust among defence institutions, even in times of tension,” he added.
In his welcoming speech, Brigadier General (Dr.) Rajeh Mohammed bin Aqeel Al Nabet, President of the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies, affirmed that the Qatar Armed Forces believe maritime security is a shared responsibility that requires parallel coordination and cooperation, as well as the building of trust-based partnerships and the exchange of expertise.
The first session featured contributions from Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, who stated: “Maritime security today extends far beyond naval power alone - it is an integrated endeavour that links diplomacy, defence, trade, food security, and regional stability.”
