ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi is running the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition at its largest scale since the event launched two decades ago. Operating under the theme A Legacy of Pride, the exhibition draws participation from 71 countries across 15 sectors, making this edition the most expansive in the event’s history since its establishment in 2003.
ADNEC Group organizes the exhibition in strategic partnership with the Emirates Falconers’ Club. Together, they have assembled a programme spanning falconry, hunting, equestrianism, camping and outdoor activities, safari tourism, arts and crafts, and environmental conservation and cultural heritage. Leading companies, specialist organisations and international brands fill the pavilions, giving the event the character of a professional gathering as much as a public showcase.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, visited the exhibition to assess its programming and exhibitor offerings. He toured national and international pavilions, reviewing the latest equipment, technologies and innovations on display. The visit covered the full breadth of the exhibition’s sectors, from traditional falconry demonstrations to contemporary conservation efforts.
During the tour, His Highness emphasized that ADIHEX functions as a critical venue for demonstrating authentic Emirati heritage to both domestic and international audiences. The programming structure reflects that mandate directly, combining traditional practices with contemporary innovations and interactive experiences designed to engage visitors across generations.
What changed this year is the deliberate focus on youth engagement. Activities and initiatives featured at this edition drew commendation specifically for their role in transmitting traditions and customs to younger generations. The dual purpose is clear: preserve cultural practices while making them accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences, reinforcing generational continuity in heritage awareness and national pride.
By attracting broad international participation alongside domestic exhibitors, the event creates a venue where heritage practices are showcased, discussed and celebrated across cultural and national boundaries. The 15 sectors represented demonstrate the breadth of domains the exhibition now encompasses, from the precision of traditional falconry to the documentation work of cultural heritage organisations.
The scale achieved by this 23rd edition points to sustained growth in international interest. The diversity of participating entities, from niche specialist organisations to global brands, suggests the exhibition has built the capacity to serve multiple professional communities simultaneously. Whether that breadth deepens or dilutes the heritage focus it was founded on remains the question the next edition will have to answer.