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The Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) concluded the "Regional Conference on Dual-Use Trade Control", organized in partnership and coordination with the UAE Ministry of Defense, the European Union, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA), and the EU P2P Export Control Program. The conference sessions; attended by a group of officials and experts from brotherly and friendly countries and a number of UAE institutions; have tackled ways to build capacities and best practices in the exchange of information and expertise.

In his opening speech, H.E. Talal Al Teneiji, EOCN Director, pointed out that legislations and partnerships at the national, regional and international levels, along with adopting best practices and adhering to the requirements of international agreements, constitute the most important pillars to achieve compliance in export control, contribute to comprehensive development, and enhance the inputs of economy.

He added: "In this conference we look forward to strengthening future cooperation by agreeing on joint programs in capacity building and exchange of expertise. This is indeed very important in supporting international trade exchange, combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their financing, and combating extremism and terrorism. This is besides implementing the best practices and controls that all countries seek to enforce, and which are called for by the Security Council in its Resolution 1540 of (2004), and other international conventions, including implementing the provisions of the Convention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)”.

Al Teneiji stated that,

"the strategic partnership between the national regulatory authorities in the UAE has a vital role in achieving compliance and business flow. This can be achieved through continuous cooperation and coordination among such entities for developing capacity building and promoting awareness level at the private sector, as well as the exchange of information and expertise in building smart systems. Not to mention that the fulfilled achievements are due to the clear vision and support of the wise leadership for the export control system in the institutions of the UAE government."

His Excellency Brigadier Yaqoub Al Hammadi, Director of Defence Industry Security and Licensing Directorate at the Ministry of Defense, said during his speech at the opening of the conference, "The world is witnessing significant events today that require a comprehensive analysis to confront security and terrorist challenges, and I assure you that the Ministry of Defense is committed to keeping pace with the requirements of protecting defense industries. This is for the sake of proceeding with maintaining a safe environment to attract talents, core competencies and innovation in the field of defense industries within advanced regulations designed as per highest international standards."

In her speech, Ms. Natalie Pauwels, Head of Stability and Peace Unit of the European Commission, expressed the thanks and appreciation of the European Union to the EOCN and the UAE MOD for their joint sponsorship in organizing this conference. This is besides the valuable cooperation with the UAE- based Regional Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to avoid chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risk, pointing out that this conference constitutes a breakthrough to understand the importance of control and supervision, a matter that will contribute effectively to raising awareness, strengthening export control system, and identifying relevant risk-based tools.

During the first session of the conference, H.E. Torsten Safarik, BAFA president said:

“Export controls make an important contribution to international security in a globalized world and are an integral part of an active economic and trade policy. This also contributes to the prosperity of countries, which will enable them to control their exports effectively and in accordance with internationally recognized principles and standards, and this will also enhance their participation and engagement in a stronger and more effective trade exchange. Thus, effective export controls and deepening trade relations can go hand in hand in this regard.”

The agenda of the conference focused on discussing control lists, reviewing best practices and experiences in the field of export control by experts and specialists from the European Union, the BAFA office, the EU P2P Export Control Program, and specialists from regulatory authorities in the UAE. The agenda also covered a detailed presentation by experts from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in addition to discussion sessions and a review of best practices by delegations of some participating countries from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of Lebanon. The agenda concluded with open debates during which participants' questions on the topics at the meetings of the Conference were answered.