Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, launched yesterday the National Search and Rescue Centre (NSRC), at the Dubai Airshow.

The new body will report to the Supreme National Security Council.

The inauguration of the Centre was attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor and a number of senior officials.

To be based in Abu Dhabi, the NSRC, is the first of its kind in the UAE. It will be in charge of all search and rescue operations in the state, applying the highest standards of the International Civil Aviation Authority and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Commenting on the launch of the Centre, Sheikh Hazza thanked President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for their keenness to keep pace with the political, economic and social developments internally and externally so as to be prepared for the regional and international changes.

For his part, Mubarak Falah Al Qahtani, Director of Operations and Spokesman for the NSRC, said the setting up of the Centre was upon the directives of the UAE President and in accordance to the Federal Decree No. 4 of year 2013, to provide the search and rescue services, and implement the UAE policy regarding the mandatory procedures to manage and implement such services.

For more information visit the Centre's pavilion No. 59 at the Dubai Airport or visit the Centre's website: (www.nrsc.ae)

Source: WAM