Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani with top military officials from Qatar and abroad attending the conference.
Doha, Qatar: As part of the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026), the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC) convened yesterday, 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 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan 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 H E Lt. Gen. (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.
The Deputy Prime Minister said in his speech, “In this ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), the conference is being held under the theme ‘Defence Diplomacy and Maritime Security Challenges,’ to underscore the importance of the close interconnection between defence diplomacy and maritime security, and how this nexus can be leveraged to enhance regional and international security and stability.”
“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”, His Excellency added.
His Excellency pointed out that our region requires balanced defence approaches that combine military readiness with effective diplomatic engagement, adding, “Regional security cannot be achieved in isolation from dialogue, nor can it be sustained without genuine partnerships founded on the principles of sovereignty, good neighbourliness, and adherence to international law. From this perspective, today’s conference constitutes a strategic platform for realising this vision. The State of Qatar has consistently adopted this approach and has contributed to shaping a deep trajectory of cooperation, friendship, and growing relations built on trust, which has made it a destination and a venue for playing important roles in resolving disputes and conflicts through dialogue, negotiations, and diplomatic and peaceful means.”
In his welcome 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 in a manner that serves the security and stability of the region.
The first session featured contributions from Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E 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. Qatar’s experience demonstrates that effective security at sea requires seamless coordination between our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, sustained cooperation with our partners, and a commitment to trusted mediation. As conflicts grow more complex and borderless, stronger regional mechanisms, multilateral institutions, and innovative solutions are essential to safeguard sea lanes, protect coastal states, and ensure the stability of the wider maritime domain.”
