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Global Aerospace Summit returns to Abu Dhabi in September

The two-day event will take place on September 25-26 at the St. Regis, Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi.

The seventh edition of the Global Aerospace Summit will return to Abu Dhabi in September 2024. Representing the aerospace, aviation, space and defence sectors, this premier thought leadership forum aims to accelerate investments in sustainability, youth engagement and innovation.

The Summit, a CEO-led meeting of the global aerospace supply chain, will bring together sector and government leaders for strategy development and partnerships. The two-day event will take place on September 25-26 at the St. Regis, Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi.

Since its inception in 2012, the Global Aerospace Summit has positioned the UAE as a major hub for aerospace, with the aviation industry driving significant economic growth. The 2024 edition will focus on enhancing technological and strategic capabilities, attracting investment, strengthening domestic SMEs, and emphasising environmental responsibility.

Panel sessions will address the development of the defence industry, investment in the aviation sector, environmental responsibility and airport infrastructure optimisation. High-profile speakers include H.E Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security at the UAE Government, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Chief Information Security Officer of Riyadh Airports and Laila Odina, CEO of Riga International Airport.

Abu Dhabi, a hub for economic development, will explore building aerospace clusters and ecosystems, fostering international partnerships, and investing in research and development to drive innovation.

Speaking about the summit, Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Informa Markets, said: “The Global Aerospace Summit is a world-class platform for the creation of new opportunities and collaborations that help to transform the industry. Abu Dhabi is today a global capital for aerospace, aviation, space and defence and is the preferred location for international industry leaders and decision-makers to align with global aerospace carbon net-zero strategies. Underlined by innovations, the Global Aerospace Summit is the perfect platform to convene the world towards next-generation features. Through greater strategic dialogue and analysis on the challenges and prospects within these sectors, we can establish greater sustainability, efficiencies and resilience for the future.”

Lynette Tan, CEO of Space Faculty, commented: “The Global Aerospace Summit is a pivotal platform driving crucial investments and fostering essential conversations in sustainability, innovation, and the empowerment of the next generation of aerospace leaders. At Space Faculty, we are dedicated to creating a global collaborative environment where ground-breaking ideas can thrive, ensuring a sustainable and innovative future for the industry.”

Key themes include global business aviation trends, such as supersonic travel and sustainability, as well as issues in liquidity, mergers and acquisitions and supply chain resilience. The summit will also cover advancements in space exploration, military space investments, satellite broadband connectivity, and emerging technologies like AI, electric propulsion and hydrogen-powered aircraft.

The NextGen Leaders initiative will focus on nurturing the next generation of aerospace leaders, supporting the UAE’s Emiratisation objectives. This programme will bridge the gap between young talent and industry leaders, ensuring the transfer of skills, knowledge and capabilities to the next generation of aerospace specialists.

The event will also feature VISTA, a platform for start-ups in the aerospace industry. VISTA will provide start-ups the opportunity to pitch their solutions to an esteemed panel of investors and benefit from industry-leading content on the Innovation Hub stage.

The 2022 edition of the Global Aerospace Summit welcomed over 1,100 participants, 159 high-level speakers, and representation from 32 countries. This year’s edition is expected to see even greater attendance, addressing critical issues for the future of the industry.