Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan opens Border Control and Airport and Seaport Security Conference

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Public Works and President of the Higher Committee for UAE Civil Seaports and Airports Security, and the UAE Ministry of Defense, Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA) on December 13th held the first edition of the Border Control and Airport and Seaport Security Conference(BCASS) at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai.

BCASS was attended by a crowd of political and military leaders, diplomats, and industry, from the UAE, the Gulf and abroad. Among them were HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Department.

Keynote Speech

The Keynote Speech was delivered by Mr Saif Mohammad Al Zoabi, from the Higher Committee for UAE Civil Seaports and Airports Security on behalf Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. He welcomed the participants of the first edition of the Border Control and Airport and Seaport Security Conference, where local and international security experts and specialists will be gathered to discuss this topic. He stated that the UAE is pursuing a wise strategy leading to several achievements in all areas. He added: "This strategy is succeeding thanks to God and thanks to the interest and support of the UAE leadership headed by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE may God protect him and his brother, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and their brothers the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates." This is why; he affirmed "the UAE has become one of the most attractive countries to big economical and tourist projects and investments." He added that the UAE government adopted a vision based on the development of the security performance on all levels and strengthening the cooperation and coordination with all the countries and concerned in international and regional bodies and organizations in order to achieve the best methodologies in applying the laws, regulations and requirements on the borders, airports and seaports while focusing on the principles and ideals of integrity and transparency. He also added that the UAE vision gives a lot of attention to the human element and encourages innovations as well as the use of the best and most modern technology in that area. He finally stressed that the fact that the UAE is hosting this event is evidence on this vision and the UAE methodology of communication and cooperation with all the people and bodies concerned with the Border Control and Airport and Seaport Security.

Khamis bin Hasher Al Mehrezi: "Our adversaries are smarter than the ones we dealt with in the past"

Major General Khamis bin Hasher Al Mehrezi from the UAE Ministry of Defense, welcomed the conference guests and stated that: "Modern technologies have recently played an effective and very important role in detecting threats, defining them, tracking them, tackling them and preserving security. Yet cooperation and coordination on both national and international levels is equally important." He added: "The real challenge is that our adversaries whether they are terrorists, identity thieves, pirates, smugglers, and criminals are smarter than the ones we dealt with in the past. Some of them are very skillful at making use of COTS (commercial off-the shelf) advanced technologies, and sometimes better than those who own it. In many cases they were able to neutralize these technologies or render them ineffective and consequently evaded detection. This is a challenge of course. It has to be addressed by industrialists who are requested to continuously develop these technologies." He affirmed that: "Sharing information is the most sensitive issue since come countries associate it with sovereignty, and that it needs trusts which is not always easy to build." The First Plenary Session was chaired by General (R'td) Khaled Al Bu-Ainnain, the former UAE Air force and Air Defense Commander and INEGMA President. Brig. Pilot Ahmad Mohammad Bin Thani, Director General of the General Department of Airports Security at the Dubai Police, delivered a presentation on "The Role of Technological Developments in Strengthening Security in National Airports." He explained that each airport has their own traditions and systems with an emphasis on human resource. CCTVs, lasers, x-rays, all play a role in security. He added that each airport claims the latest technology but this is not true.

Kumar Kibble, Deputy Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the U.S., presented a paper on the "International Cooperation in the Investigation of Cross Border Transnational Crimes." He argued that partnerships are critical and that his organization has a very close relationship with Abu Dhabi.

Brigadier Manuel Kirejian, Head of Border Control Committee at the Lebanese Armed Forces, examined the "Joint-Agency Collaboration for Border Security: Frameworks and Approaches" in which he stated that Integrated Border Management (IBM) is critical in observation, checkpoints,, and patrols with C2 systems.

The Second Plenary Session was chaired by Dr. Theodore Karasik, the Director of Research and Development at INEGMA. Dr. Khaled al Mazrouei, General Manager of the Fujairah International Airport, looked at "Optimizing Cost-Effective Technologies to Build First-Class Security Infrastructure." He explained about UAE biometric system including the pros and cons of certain types of systems.

Mr. A. J. Atte, Deputy Comptroller General at the Enforcement, Investigation and Inspections in Nigeria, delivered a presentation on "Reinforcing International Cooperation for Improved Airport and Seaport Security." He gave an overview of Nigerian seaport and airports and Nigerian customs. He also looked at cross border terrorism, crime, drugs, and arms. Brigadier Ghareeb Mohammed al Hosani, the General Manager at the General Directorate for Ports and Airports in the UAE Ministry of Interior, discussed "Preventing Cross Border Infiltration: The UAE Vision" where he emphasized educational and training.

The Third Plenary Session was chaired by Riad Kahwaji, INEGMA CEO. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Acting Director General at the Federal Customs Authority in the UAE, explored "Developing a National Standard for Future Customs Regulations." He argued that Clarence Yeo, the Commissioner of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, delivered a lecture on "The ICA Story" in which he explained WAM/TF