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| INTERPOL Secretary General, Ronald K. Noble (left) and Chairman of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s Security Committee, Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani, signed an agreement to create the INTERPOL Group of Major Event Security Experts. |
Rome: A groundbreaking initiative by INTERPOL to support the
safety and security of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and other major
sporting events over the next 10 years has been launched following an agreement
with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee worth USD 10 million.
The agreement which will see the creation of the INTERPOL
Group of Major Event Security Experts (IGMESE) was formally signed at the 81st
INTERPOL General Assembly by Chairman of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee’s
Security Committee, Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser
Al Thani and INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.
The former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the London
Metropolitan Police Service, Janet Williams QPM, who led and oversaw policing
protective security planning for the 2012 London Olympic Games, will chair the
new Group, which will bring together specialized law enforcement professionals
and security experts from all regions of the world.
Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser Al Thani said: “We recognize that
hosting the FIFA World Cup, one of the world’s largest international sporting
events, will entail a wide variety of challenges. By working with INTERPOL and
its network of 190 member countries, the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee will be
able to draw on a pool of expertise from around the world on how best to host a
successful and safe tournament while adhering to the highest international
standards.
“Together we are committed to identifying further areas of
cooperation in which INTERPOL’s global tools and international law enforcement
networks can further support our national and regional security. The Qatar 2022
Supreme Committee looks forward to close collaboration on other strategic
initiatives,” added Sheikh Al Thani.
INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said that Qatar’s
support for the initiative demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the highest
standards in event security.
“The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee has shown great leadership
in the area of security for its country, its people and the millions of
football fans who will visit the region during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and we
are delighted that they share INTERPOL’s vision for a safer world,” said Mr
Noble.
“INTERPOL’s group of experts and its General Secretariat
will work closely with the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, the Ministry of the
Interior and our National Central Bureau in Doha during the next 10 years as
part of a fully collaborative approach to prepare and implement the necessary
security framework and practices.
“Already the world leader in international police
information exchange, the creation of this group of experts will see INTERPOL
become the reference point for all security elements linked to hosting a major
event, sporting or otherwise,” concluded the INTERPOL Chief.
In addition to planning, preparing and implementing a
security strategy for stadiums, persons and locations throughout Qatar for the
2022 FIFA World Cup, identifying
the training needs for law enforcement personnel in Qatar and
other countries hosting major sporting events, the group will also develop best
practices and international standards relating to security for all types of
major events.