Leaders from aviation, aerospace, defense and space industries will meet in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the second Global Aerospace Summit this April to debate the most crucial issues their sectors are facing.

The invitation-only strategic forum for senior international industry leaders in aviation, aerospace, defense and space is hosted by Mubadala Development Company and organised by Streamline Marketing Group. The Summit will run from 7-8 April 2014 at the St. Regis Hotel, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, and is expected to attract more than 1,000 C-level executives from across the world, making it one of the most important industry forums this year.  It will focus on the challenges of driving industrialisation and growth while adapting to global socio-economic change.

Speaking at a London media event ahead of the Summit, Homaid Al Shemmari, CEO of Aerospace and Engineering Services at Mubadala, said: “We look forward to hosting our peers and partners in Abu Dhabi and sharing with them the continuing story of our progress towards becoming a global industrial hub for aviation, aerospace, defense and space.

“Since its inaugural edition in 2012, the Global Aerospace Summit has become one of the world’s leading gatherings for senior executives from across the spectrum of these industries. This year’s Summit will also have larger representation from emerging markets.”

“Over the past few years, Abu Dhabi has developed its manufacturing capabilities across the aviation and aerospace industries, through Mubadala’s aerospace manufacturing arm, Strata. We have also become proud suppliers of aircraft parts for global companies such as Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky,” added Mr. Al Shemmari.

He continued: “We are also humbled to be able to take a position among the top 10 satellite operators through Yahsat, an achievement that has positioned the UAE as a key player in the satellite and space industry.

“To develop our capabilities and maintain a global competitive advantage, we have ensured that R&D plays a key part within our businesses. Our annual R&D spending is something that we need to invest more in as we collaborate with academic institutions and partnerships with OEMs,” he said.

The Summit’s key themes will focus on workforce development and industrialisation.  There will be dedicated sector-specific strategy seminars including Defense Industry Closed Door Briefings, an Abu Dhabi Suppliers Forum and a Military, Satellite and Communications session. It will bring industry experts together to answer the challenges faced by the sector and shape future growth strategies.

Mr. Al Shemmari added: “To maintain competitive and sustainable aerospace and engineering services sectors, we understand the need for a highly skilled science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Our Emiratization programme is not only focused on supporting the development of the next generation of national scientists, engineers and technicians but also on creating jobs across a range of professions.”

Leaders from companies in both established and emerging markets will share their experiences of supporting industrialization, improving supply chain standards and creating value-added jobs for highly skilled individuals.

The Summit will also see an initiative designed to inspire the next generation of industry leadership, with the launch of the ‘Global Aerospace Ambassadors’ programme. This programme is designed to support education professionals in the delivery of a successful curriculum in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It aims both to inspire students and to provide parents with sufficient information to guide informed educational choices.

The inaugural Summit in 2012 attracted more than 900 C-suite executives from 52 countries.  The 2014 event will also include delegates from emerging markets such as Russia, China, India, Eastern Europe and South America.