CISM International Symposium 2025 opens in Abu Dhabi under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
ABU DHABI (UAE) – Under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, the CISM International Symposium 2025 officially opened in Abu Dhabi, gathering senior military leaders, experts, academics, and researchers from across the world.
Held every two years in one of the member nations of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), this prestigious scientific event is being hosted for the first time in the United Arab Emirates and the region. The 2025 edition highlights the theme “Physical Readiness and Resilience in the Armed Forces: Challenges and Foreseeing the Future.”
Organized from 20 to 22 October at the Dusit Thani Hotel, the symposium brings together more than 130 participants from over 30 countries, including 43 distinguished speakers who share scientific insights and operational expertise to enhance physical readiness within modern armed forces.
During the Opening Ceremony, the CISM “Grand Officer” Medal of Merit was conferred upon His Excellency Lt. General Staff Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, and His Excellency Khalifa Rashid Al Hameli, Director of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Defence, in recognition of their exceptional efforts and steadfast support to CISM’s mission and values.
The event was attended by CISM’s highest authorities, including CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, CISM Vice President for Asia Major General Rashid Al Dosari, and members of the CISM Board of Directors, alongside heads of military delegations from around the world, a strong testament to the international standing of both CISM and the host nation.
A day of insightful exchanges
The first day of the Symposium featured a rich scientific program that set the tone for the days to come. After the formal opening and group photo, participants attended two keynote addresses that bridged strategic vision and institutional heritage.
Professor Thierry Zintz opened the academic discussions with an inspiring keynote on “International Sport Governing Bodies Soft Diplomacy, CISM, a key player in a turbulent context?”, highlighting the Council’s pivotal role in fostering dialogue and cooperation through sport.
He was followed by General Gianni Gola, Honorary CISM President, who reflected on “CISM World Military Games – 30 years building the resilience of CISM,” tracing the evolution of CISM’s flagship event as a catalyst for physical and moral resilience within the armed forces.
The afternoon sessions showcased a series of thought-provoking research presentations addressing energy expenditure, sustainable nutrition, and human performance optimization in the military context. Scholars such as Patrick Mullie, Ayesha Al Dhaheri, Guillermo Portugal, Martin Bugala, Wolfgang Rausch, Hannes Fichtenthal, and Abdelrahman Amhed Abdulrahman Mohamed explored new frontiers in assessing physical readiness, from load carriage and body composition to training cessation and operational performance under stress.
Chaired by leading experts including Lieutenant Colonel Athinodoros Moschopoulos, Prof. Lieutenant Colonel Annette Schmidt, Colonel Dr. Hashel Al Tunajji, and Brigadier General Lotfi Bouguerra the discussions emphasized the balance between scientific rigor and practical application, a hallmark of the CISM Symposium’s interdisciplinary spirit.
The first day concluded with engaging exchanges among participants, reinforcing CISM’s commitment to building a global network of knowledge and cooperation in the field of military physical readiness and resilience.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department and UAE Delegation to CISM)
