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Call to ensure maritime safety of Arabian Gulf

ABU DHABI — The region is witnessing high tension that requires constant vigilance and cooperation among neighbours and allies to ensure maritime safety and stability of the Arabian Gulf, according to Dr Jamal Al Suwaidi, director of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR).

Speaking at a Press conference in the capital yesterday, Dr Al Suwaidi announced that the centre would be hosting the Gulf Naval Commanders (GNC) conference in the capital next month.

Under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the conference, being organised by the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), will address topics crucial to maritime security of the Arabian Gulf, and will explore latest technologies and techniques in naval operations. The conference kicks off on July 2.

"GNC will be the first of its kind to take place in Abu Dhabi, and it underlines the importance of maritime security in an area that exports daily by sea nearly 40 per cent of the world's oil needs," said Ridad Kahwaji, INEGMA director general.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, he said the topic of maritime security was of utmost important to the region, which exports thousands of tons of material on a daily basis.

"The maritime threats include piracy, which is increasing in the area close to the Gulf of Aden, and is a major problem in the area near the Indian Ocean. In addition, geopolitical threats such as the Iran situation is also a major security concern for GCC countries," said Kahwaji.

• UAE