Asia-Pacific's largest and most comprehensive homeland security and counter-terrorism conference and exhibition, Global Security Asia (GSA) 2011, will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, Singapore from 15th to 17th March 2011. The fourth in the Series, the Conference theme, "Prevention and Protection - Safeguarding People, Property and Infrastructure", is particularly pertinent with the increasing focus especially in Asia on security with a view to preserving the economic stability and success of the region.
"How to maintain economic growth, and ensure the security of a nation's citizens, property and infrastructure will be a major topic of the GSA 2011 Conference" explained Andrew Marriott, Managing Director, GSA Exhibitions Pte Ltd.
According to research, global government current expenditure on homeland security exceeded USD 178 billion. Furthermore, the forecast expenditure for the period 2010 - 2020 is USD2.7 trillion. Research also suggests that in this period the Asia Pacific region will contribute circa 21% to the global homeland security expenditure.
Leading minds to discuss developments
GSA 2011 will be bringing together cutting edge research and state-of-the-art technology and overviews from experts in their chosen fields including Co-chairs of the Conference, Professor Alan Hatcher, chief executive officer (CEO) and Principal of The International School for Security and Explosives Education (ISSEE); Professor Andrew Tan, Professor of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia; Pakistan terrorism expert and author Khuram Iqbal and Caroline O'Hare, Detective Inspector and Commander of the New South Wales Police Force, Australia.
Opening the Conference with a Keynote Address will be Adam Ingram, former Member of the UK Parliament and former Minister of State for the Armed Forces and a veteran of the Northern Ireland conflict. He will be discussing the multi-dimensional impact and the implications of Homeland Security threats to a nation's economy drawing from his experience as a Minister in the UK Government and his subsequent work as an expert on global threats.
How to ensure the security of a nation's citizens, property and infrastructure will be a major topic of the GSA 2011 Conference |
In addition, other experts including Mike Coldrick, an experienced bomb technician and intelligence officer in the field of counter-terrorism for 30 years will be examining the history of explosive devices and current developments, especially Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and how relevant Agencies need to recognise and be proactive to these potential dangers.
Khuram Iqbal, an author and research fellow at the PAK Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), will discuss the impact of religious fanaticism and militancy of the Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), a militant organization based in Pakistan. His assertion that the TTP is growing in strength and numbers through aggressive propaganda against the West and as a result is now no longer just a Pakistani problem but a global threat which will be particularly relevant to industry professionals in Southeast Asia.
Caroline O'Hare, Detective Inspector and Commander of the New South Wales Police Force will discuss the role of police in countering terrorism. She will cover how the police force in smaller nations such as Singapore can maximise their resources to meet the ever increasing challenges.
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| Exhibition will majorly cover security screening, biometrics, air and sea security and surveillance |
Global brands and endorsement at GSA 2011
Exhibitors participating at GSA 2011 include DHS Systems International, AM General, Motorola, Glock, General Dynamics, TJ Systems, Thales and Cobham Surveillance. These industry leaders will showcase the latest technological solutions in several areas of homeland security, including Security Screening, Biometrics, Land, Air and Sea Security, Internet and Computer Security, Intelligence and Training Methods, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats, Surveillance and Security Risk Management. GSA 2011 is officially endorsed by the United States Department of Commerce and the US Department of Homeland Security, UK's Aerospace, Defence and Security (ADS) Group, the UK Trade Investment (UKTI) Defence & Security Organisation, and the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade).
The GSA Series has an established an enviable reputation as being the leading Homeland Security event in the Asia Pacific region. It is estimated that this year's Event in March will see more than 6,500 visitors including over 100 VIP delegates who will be attending the Show. These Government delegations comprising of Homeland Security experts will be coming from Malaysia, India, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. There will be National Pavilions from the US, UK, Australia and Singapore together with Exhibitors from Israel, Czech Republic, China, France, Germany and Switzerland.
Andrew Marriott believes the growth of the Global Security Series is due to the increasing number of threats in the Asia Pacific region. As a result this requires Governments to increase their Homeland Security expenditure to ensure their security with emphasis on biometrics, profiling, cyber-terrorism and border security. However, to be successful in meeting these threats requires international cooperation and coordination at all levels of Government and the private sector.
