Security challenges must be overcome

Abu Dhabi: Security organisations in the Gulf region have to be modernised to cope with future challenges, according to the Minister of Interior.

In his keynote speech at the inauguration of the 12th Annual Conference of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said the security apparatus shoulders huge challenges and responsibilities, including reorganisation and development to keep pace with economic, cultural, social and political progress.

He said during the last decade, the progress achieved by government institutions has been consistent and concurrent.

Dire need

"However, the security aspect has tended to lag behind the progress made in other government sectors. Therefore, there is a dire need to focus on the development of security organisations and apparatus to match the qualitative progress achieved by other state entities, both public and private."

Speaking of the challenges facing security organisations, Shaikh Saif said these include the drawing up of strategies and goals.

"Yet another security challenge is the rapid evolution of crime both in terms of type, and modes of commission, with criminals benefiting from modern technological advances. Hence the security apparatus will have to deal with this development...

"Finally, new and modern concepts must be adopted in the field of security by applying advanced techniques and capabilities."