National security critical, expert says

Dubai: National security is a timely and critical issue to a region whose infrastructure is a vital component of the global supply chain, said John A. McCarthy, Director of Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) yesterday, addressing delegates at the National Security Summit 2008 held by the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC).

"The United Arab Emirates, as well as the other GCC countries, have been visionary in their approach addressing the very real and complex threats to vital infrastructure and borders including terrorism, crime, natural disasters, and damage to the environment," said McCarthy.

He added that participating in the conference was an excellent opportunity to boost important dialogue with public and private sector partners, sharing proven solutions as well as explaining CNIA's unique leadership role in Abu Dhabi and the UAE as the 'Guardians of the Nation's Prosperity'.

Collaboration

The National Security Summit 2008 aims at providing 21st century capabilities for protecting Middle Eastern borders through effective collaboration to enforce national security. The summit is addressing a number of issues such as assessing national and international security organisation structures and processes, analysing current and emerging homeland security policy and engaging with the public to mitigate threats and internal population controls.

The case studies featured at the summit focused on a number of issues including the implementation of national security in the Middle East, building technology solutions to secure the nation, protecting infrastructure and crime prevention.

On the first day of the summit, speakers discussed various topics including overcoming security issues in the UAE and the role of national security in combating threats, future perspectives on implementing new technology and advanced space-born satellite systems and their use.

Dr Omar Al Emam, Adviser at the Arab Science and Technology Foundation in Sharjah, proposed a Middle Eastern and North African Space Agency and said it is still a proposal, but it is a realistic one and now is the right time to establish it.