Doha gearing up for security conference

The security committee of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) continues its preparations to host the first edition of “Major Event Safety and Security Conference” in co-operation with Interpol, the International Police Organisation.
The conference, which takes place on November 7 and 8, aims to develop security measures and precautions for international sporting events, and contribute to determining the security arrangements to be made during sports competitions in Qatar, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
At the conference a number of topics will be discussed, including legislation, physical security and cyber security, through working papers that will be presented by representatives and experts from international law enforcement, committees concerned with event organisation, governments, the private sector, the academic community, and civil society.
Participants will also discuss the environment of regional and international security threats and their effects on planning major international events and how to respond to them, while presenting models of risk-based police work in relation to sporting events.
SC executive director of security, Colonel Mohammed Majid al-Sulaiti, reaffirmed the importance of the conference to enhance international partnership for major sporting events in light of the growing cross border security concerns.
He said that convening the conference comes as part of preparation efforts for the 2022 World Cup as it will “help in assessing the security work and intelligence infrastructure in terms of organising the tournament and promoting security projects and initiatives”, in addition to building Qatar’s competencies.
Al-Sulaiti noted that the conference aims to attract expertise from all over the world and to create an entity that brings together all previous experiments in organising major sporting events and find a fertile environment for exchanging expertise among all law enforcement bodies.
Such a major event, he said, provides an opportunity to learn about the best new technology, practices, and the most recent developments and interaction in the preparation of plans and development of security work to face contemporary threats and challenges.
“Participants will discuss the threats facing the organisation of major events and ways of combating terrorism and riot in stadiums,” al-Sulaiti added.
The official stressed that, in the process of organising such an event, the State of Qatar relies on qualified Qatari personnel who are well-prepared for such major events.
Al-Sulaiti noted that Qatari personnel have proven their ability and competency, having played a part in the security of several tournaments at the local, regional, and international levels.
Along with the “Major Event Safety and Security Conference” is an exhibition at which a number of state entities, conference sponsors, and security firms present the main projects in Qatar as well as the latest global solutions related to security in the organisation of major events.
The exhibition will also feature a pavilion showing Qatar’s preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In addition, the conference will see the launch of a project under the umbrella of Interpol that would create a breakthrough in the mechanism and co-operation of law enforcement agencies in Qatar and at the regional and international levels.
SC’s deputy executive director of security, Major Ali Mohammed al-Ali, said the conference is taking place in partnership between SC’s Security Committee, Interpol, and the Qatar-funded Project Stadia, which aims to create a centre of excellence to help Interpol member countries in planning and executing policing and security preparations for major sporting events.
The 10-year Project Stadia will contribute to policing and security arrangements for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and leave a lasting legacy for the international law enforcement community.
Al-Ali said that the conference will also review accomplishments made so far in preparation of the 2022 World Cup in terms of international conferences for sports safety and security experts.
These include discussions on the best ways of combating riot situations in a stadium, through Project Stadia and during the Italian Super Cup in Doha, as well as other projects and achievements made so far.
Drawing on its global network of experts, Project Stadia delivers international conferences which bring together thought leaders in the field of major international sporting event policing and security to share their experiences and enable member countries to learn from their counterparts.
Project Stadia organises annual expert group meetings on the key themes of legislation, physical security and cyber security.