Held under the Joint Presidential Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Excellency Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic, the Maritime Security Cooperation Conference was held on 25-26 May, 2009, at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The event marked the inauguration of the French Navy and Support Base – named Peace Camp – at Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi. The event was not only one of the most important strategic security event on the calendar in the Arabian Gulf region but also the Middle East’s biggest ever dedicated maritime security conference.

The event gathered dozens of military leaders and security experts from around the GCC, Europe, and the US, in addition to over 500 VIP guests were invited by the French and UAE Governments, respectively. Keynote speeches by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the UAE, and His Excellency Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister of the French Republic, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in meeting international security challenges kicked started conference. High level speakers that folllowed on the early plenary sessions included His Excellency Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, UAE, Michel Mirraillet, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy, France, Admiral Luciano Zappata, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO, and Vice Admiral William Gortney, Commander of Naval Forces Central Command, USA.