Future of Ports conference to be held in November

The Dubai's General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFAD) said that the upcoming “International Conference on Policymaking: The Future of Ports,” scheduled for 19th November, 2023, at the Madinat Jumeirah, will focus on discussing the most effective international approaches to border management.

The two-day conference will see the participation of speakers, policymakers, researchers and experts from Asia, the US, Europe and the UAE, senior officials of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

A related press briefing held today at the Government of Dubai Media Office was attended by several officials from the GDRFAD in Dubai, who were Major General Obaid Muhair bin Surour, Deputy Director-General; Major General Talal Ahmed Abdul Qadir Al Shanqeeti, Assistant Director-General for the Airports Sector; Major General Dr. Ali bin Ajif Al Zaabi, Assistant Director-General for Governance and Regulatory Control; Brigadier Khalaf Al Ghaith, Assistant Director-General for Entry and Residence Permits, and Dr. Hanan Al Marzouki, Director of Institutional Governance and Compliance Management.

The forum will also discuss ways to develop proactive policies to navigate future challenges effectively, in addition to critical global issues pertaining to immigration and residency, underscoring standards of relevance to both the UAE and the broader Middle East region. The conference will also facilitate discussions on evolving travel trends, technological advancements in the sector, and the ongoing challenge of handling increasing passenger numbers.

“We should prepare smart solutions for a faster and easier flow of passengers in the future,” said Major General Obaid, adding that the conference will also focus on transfer procedures from normal to smart solutions.

“After Covid-19, people accept transmission to use more technologies at the border. We think that will help us in the future,” he said.