UN Launches Global Program on Securing Major Sporting Events with Qatari Backing

New York, February 05 (QNA) - The first meeting of the international experts group at the United Nations, led by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, concluded in New York with the launch of a global program on securing major sporting events and using sports to counter-terrorism. Under the umbrella of the United Nations, attendees from more than 100 countries worldwide, led by Qatar, China and South Korea, and a broad representation from the United States of America met for two days to discuss the two issues. The opening ceremony witnessed a remarkable international presence, the State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, who was one of the keynote speakers after the opening speech at the meeting that was delivered by HE Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov. Also speaking at the event where HE Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations Ambassador Cho Hyun, High Commissioner of the United Nations Office for Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratino and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) Michele Coninsx, and Director of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute Bettina Tucci. CEO of International Centre on Sport Security (ICSS) Masimiliano Montanari also attended and delivered an opening speech on behalf of Mohamed bin Hanzab, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ICSS, the technical partner implementing the new international project. The meeting and the discussions that followed over two days centered on launching a new international project sponsored and funded by the United Nations and led by the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism with the participation of three main parties, including two international organizations, UNICIRI, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and the ICSS, which is the partner in charge of the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism. The latter is implementing the technical side of a program on securing major sporting events and promoting sport and its values as a tool to prevent violence and extremism. HE Voronkov stressed that the joint program will help build databases, focus on best practices, exchange sources and information, and facilitate partnerships between member states. He added that the topic was discussed over two days and during the first meeting of the international group of experts on securing major sporting events that focused on exploring ways to develop and implement cooperation mechanisms among member states, and then activate those joint initiatives with private sector institutions and bodies. The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office thanked the ICSS, stressing that fruitful cooperation between the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism and the ICSS would contribute to achieving goals in accordance with international standards. For her part, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar was happy to be one of the main backers of the project. She praised the efforts of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office, highlighting the strong cooperation between various UN organizations and the State of Qatar. HE Sheikha Alia also praised the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) for its World Cup 2022 organization efforts, whether in terms of security or for promoting the event, noting that the State of Qatar organizes many international sporting events and is open to cooperation with all countries and partners in the field of safety and security. In a speech broadcast via video, HE Secretary-General of SC Hassan Al Thawadi, expressed his appreciation to HE Voronkov and the attendees of the event. He added that HE the Under-Secretary-General knows the power sports have in making a difference. Al Thawadi expressed his thanks and appreciation to Ambassador Alia Al-Thani, saying her presence for this important international gathering reflects the interest of the State of Qatar in working with the United Nations to make major sporting events around the world safer and more secure. His Excellency stressed that the SC is keen to cooperate and work with the international community to exchange information, experiences in any way that that enhances aspects of safety and sports security, considering that the State of Qatar is a leader in the field and pointed out that the International Center for Sports Security is led by Mohammed bin Hanzab is a testament to that. He added that the SC and the ICSS are working closely together to organize a memorable World Cup 2022 in Qatar. For his part, Bin Henzab said that he is proud of the ICSS' success, and added that it was achieved after years of hard work that started with the establishment of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA). He added that the Center's efforts were crowned by signing a partnership with the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism, which is a partnership that will create a practical and professional legacy in the field of sport safety and security to serve the interests of all UN member states. The chairman of ICSS praised the outcomes of the United Nations meeting at its headquarters in New York and thanked the organizers of the three international organizations participating in the project, led by HE Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations to the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov. Meanwhile, Montanari said that the center took it upon itself from day one to promote the importance of sports safety and security. It is worth noting that the United Nations counter-terrorism fund is a project that funds the security operations of major sporting events and promotes sports and its values as a tool to prevent violence and extremism. HE Voronkov said that the project was funded by the State of Qatar, China, and South Korea. The ICSS, established in 2011 in Doha, is a team of international experts from key sectors including law enforcement, international policy, anti-corruption, government and sport. The center offers a range of safety, security, integrity, transparency and anti-corruption services to governments, international organizations and across the sports industry. (QNA)