Saturday 16 February 2013
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Vice-President of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi inaugurated the Gulf Defense Conference with the presence of Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumeithi, the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces on Saturday February 16, 2013. A speech about UAE Armed Forces was delivered during the ceremony by Major General Staff Pilot Rashad Mohammad Al Saadi ,the Commandant of the National Defense College .An excerpt of this speech is "The security of the Arab Gulf region is of regional and international importance, thus the responsibility of sustaining this security and ensuring the safety of its maritime passages is an internationally collaborative responsibility rather than a domestic one .” “The UAE leadership is working on increasing its military and security readiness and strengthening the cooperation with the neighboring countries and the international community to promote peace in the region and the world. " “The strategic leadership relies on striking a balance in building the capabilities of the naval ,land , air and special forces with the aim of enhancing the defense and combat capabilities of our armed forces .The UAE Armed Forces have continuously contributed in supporting the peacekeeping forces worldwide and are in full readiness to respond to any relief effort provided during natural disasters worldwide .” He added.