From Welsh crooner Tom Jones, to military-grade tanks and majestic falcons, the stars who have appeared at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) are eclectic to say the least.
The city’s premiere events venue is making headlines again this week as it hosts the biennial International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2023), the region’s biggest arms and defence technology sales exhibition.
See images of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's visit to Idex
This comes on the back of a host of events ranging from the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), the international get-together of educators Najah Abu Dhabi and the oil exhibition and conference Adipec.
The business events will soon make way for a legion of superstar actors and fans dressed in their favourite superhero costumes as part of the Middle East Film and Comic Con from March 3 to 5.
Such an eclectic calendar is the point.
Ever since opening in 2005, Adnec has fulfilled its promise of being a state-of-the-art centre, catering to events big and small.
From conferences to concerts, it has brought some of the world’s leading thinkers and pop stars to Abu Dhabi, while forming a meeting point for UAE residents.
That growth has been rapid.
Adnec staged just 14 events in its first year, but in 2010 hosted 119, as previously reported in The National.
According to its 2019 annual report, it staged a record number of 496 events, comprising 235 conferences and 11 exhibitions attended by more than 2.3 million people.
While many events are generally industry specific, the venue's biggest impact was arguably its pivotal role in Abu Dhabi’s response to the pandemic.
In 2020 it was transformed by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi into a state-of-the-art field hospital treating Covid-19 patients free of charge.
The 31,000-square-metre space had 1,000 beds staffed by 150 medics.
Adnec also led the recovery of Abu Dhabi’s events and cultural sector in the wake of the pandemic in 2021 by hosting occasions such as VidCon, the Emirates Skills National Competition and the UAE Muaythai Championship successfully under health and safety measures.
With plenty of events yet to come, including hundreds of authors and publishers for the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in May, the next chapter of this remarkable venue looks as bright as ever.
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Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
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Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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