In London in April, the annual World Counter Terror Congress is a two-day conference to discuss threats and counter terror strategy.
Focusing on the four areas outlined in UK government’s CONTEST strategy, the congress will be opened by John Hayes, the UK’s Minister for Security. Also invited to speak: Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former UK Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. He said: “The nature of the threat we face today is inherently different from that we faced even last year. Terrorist organisations are constantly evolving, using highly advanced methods to avoid detection, and the prospect of attacks like Paris, Jakarta and Istanbul happening anywhere in the world is reality. It is of paramount importance that nations work together to reduce the risk to civilians and the World Counter Terror Congress gives us a platform to do just that.”
With thousands travelling to Syria, Libya and Iraq to join groups like Isil and Al-Qaeda, a key part in developing an effective prevent strategy is gaining a greater understanding of why citizens are radicalised. Adam Deen of the counter-extremism think tank Quilliam Foundation will discuss.
The congress will feature six sessions, covering policy and strategy responses to the changing terror threat; radicalisation, de-radicalisation and preventing radicalisation; geopolitical security briefings; encryption, communications and security; security for critical national infrastructure; and emerging terror networks and tactics.
A total of 29 officials and academics will lead the congress. Among those confirmed to speak are Mark Rowley, Assistant Commissioner, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Counter Terrorism; Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE, QC; Rob Wainwright, Director at Europol; Stephen Phipson, Head, Defence and Security Organisation (DSO), UK Trade & Industry (UKTI); Dr Jamie Shea, Deputy ASG, Emerging Security Challenges Division, NATO; Prof Richard English, Director, Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism & Political Violence (CSTPV), University of St Andrews; and Thomas Wuchte, Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues, Action Against Terrorism Unit, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The congress will take place within the Security & Counter Terror Expo. David Thompson, Event Manager of Security & Counter Terror Expo, added: “With the safety of millions of people on their minds, those in attendance at the World Counter Terror Congress have their work cut out. The sight of armed police patrolling crowded places, including railway stations and airports, shopping centres and sports stadiums may be here to stay in the short term. But it’s the topics being discussed in the conference that will ultimately decide whether there are better techniques that can be introduced, and how nations can destroy the root cause of extremism.”
Specialist free-to-attend conferences at Security & Counter Terror Expo will focus on the Critical National Infrastructure & Business Resilience, Cyber Threat Intelligence – presented by techUK, Transport Security Live and Advanced Technologies Live. Security & Counter Terror Expo 2016 is co-located with Ambition – the EPRR Expo – and Forensics Europe Expo. To register to attend, visit http://www.counterterrorexpo.com/.
