Security challenges in focus
Manama, October 15, 2007
A crunch conference in Bahrain on tackling terrorism will seek to confront the major security challenges facing the Middle East.
Security experts from around the world will gather next month to discuss the dangers of nuclear power and debate the threat of terrorism, maritime and airport security and tough border controls.
Bio-terrorism, the Iraq and Palestinian crises, their consequences on regional security and how to protect international financial and banking organisations from terrorist penetration will also be on the agenda.
Delegates will not only discuss the major issues that threaten the future of the region, but attempt to find solutions.
The Middle East Homeland and Global Security Forum will see around 500 decision-makers and experts in the field of security from over 80 countries around the world.
Participants will not only hold a combination of private meetings, public conferences and presentations, but search for solutions to the issues that threaten the future of the region.
Delegates from Jordan, Thailand, Iraq, France, Italy, Germany, the US and Pakistan will be among those attending, along with GCC Secretary-General Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah.
Among the high-profile guests will be the expert in terrorism affairs to the Council of Europe and the European Commission Jean-Louis Bruguire, head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) Weapons of Mass Destruction Centre Ted Whiteside and Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa will represent Bahrain.
The four-day forum, being held under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and chaired by Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, starts at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa on November 19.
'Homeland security today represents the most important market for industry and business,' said an event spokesman.
'There has never been a time when continuous and co-operative efforts by governments and enterprises to identify current security trends and challenges were of such paramount importance, especially in the Middle East.
'The challenges equally concern intelligence and analysis, sharing experiences, knowledge of innovative products and services, and training for relevant personnel.
'These challenges exist at all levels, including risk prevention, diagnosis, communication, data processing and storage, and crisis management.
'The clear priority is to create effective and efficient bridges between the public and private sectors, with a view to fostering and building ever increasing co-ordination.'
The forum is organised by the Crans Montana Forum, a Monaco-based international organisation devoted to creating a more humane world, which recently launched its operations in Bahrain.
