Chairman, John Donlon’s Closing Summary – World Border Security Congress – Casablanca 2019

 

Once again we have had some excellent presentations by some distinguished, experienced people and a number of very good discussions across a whole range of border management matters and more – and of course, we have had some great interaction from a lively, intelligent and challenging audience.

 

We have been fortunate, once again, to have been supported by:

• The Ministry of Interior here in Morocco and

• The Moroccan Directorate for Migration and Border Surveillance

 

And we are also most grateful to our official sponsors, all our excellent speakers, and to the continued participation of a whole range of international security and border organisations, such as the OSCE, IOM, Europol, Interpol, Airpol and the African Union.

 

Alongside this we have attendees from 54 nations with 250 people registered for the conference.

 

So, a global event, seeking to address the global border challenges which affect us all, to some extent and highlighting the need for continuing efforts in developing what has been a major theme over the past few days, that of; cooperation, coordination and communication.

 

We have had a great deal of focus on migration pressures and the need for our borders to be safe, structured, orderly and regulated, in order to manage the balance between security and our humanitarian responsibilities. Whilst all the time being conscious of and understanding the ‘push and pull’ factors around international migration, such as:

• Unemployment

• Poverty and

• Inequality

 

We have also had numerous references and interaction on the subject of Intelligence Sharing and the obvious benefits to be delivered through timely and accurate information exchange which supports:

• Risk Analysis

• Joint Operations

• Investigations

• Detection and

• Prevention

 

We have discussed the complexity of the challenges which we continue to contend with across a whole range of threats and issues, including:

• Terrorism

• Foreign Terrorist Fighters

• Human Trafficking

• People Smuggling

• Drugs

• Counterfeit Goods

 

And I was really concerned at the statistics that were quoted around the amount of weapons and firearms in circulation around the world, some 875 million firearms with 75% of them being in the hands of civilians, and not the military as you would expect. 

 

This presentation delivered by Gabor, went onto discuss how the gaps in border security processes continue to facilitate the movement of such weapons from one country to another.

 

Also, for the first time, in my experience of Chairing and attending border conferences and seminars, we were introduced to the growth in the smuggling of items and artefacts within the term of cultural property.

 

At last year’s World Border Security Congress in Madrid, we heard a great deal about the concerns associated with the movement of freight and the links between people and goods, in seeking to prevent the movement of ‘bombs in boxes’, but not so much this year.

 

I was also a little surprised that we did not have more discussion around Cyber activity and the implications for border information systems or more references to Insider Threats which is an increasing concern across the whole threat vector.

 

But, I was really pleased that not too many people mentioned Brexit! If you are from the United Kingdom you will understand how the concerns with the process have been dominating our 24/7 news for some 2 years now.

 

I always like to reflect on the innovations that continually emerge within the WBSC events and this year was no exception. My favourite and most inspiring was delivered by Sophie from the IOM delegation from Niger. She spoke passionately of, one day, being able to ‘Build a Lighthouse in the Desert’ as a beacon of safety for those migrants struggling to find their way to safety and a better life for themselves and their families.

 

Those of you who have been at our previous events may recall that we promised to launch a password protected border network site. Well, this is now ready and will be up and running next week.

 

Worldbordersecurity.net – is a network for Government and Agency delegates funded and delivered by WBSC with the purpose of:

• Facilitating Communication

• Sharing information – and keeping up with-

• The latest threats

• Good Practice

• Training and awareness opportunities and much more.

 

The network is by ‘Invitation Only’ and all government and agency delegates will receive their invites over the next few days. However, please feel to invite other members of your organisations who you think would benefit in becoming part of the World Border Security Committee.

 

So, in conclusion, I do hope you have all had a great time and that you go away:

• Having learned something new that will be useful to you and to your organisations

• Also, having made new professional contacts who may be able to help you in some way in the future – and importantly

• Having made new friends

In closing I would like to thank:

• Our hosts here in Morocco

• Our sponsors and exhibitors for supporting the event

• Our speakers for giving us their time and sharing their expertise and views

• Our translators for doing a great job 

 

And most of all to you, our delegates for your attendance and your active participation.

Next year’s conference will take place in Athens between the 31st March and the 2nd April.

 

I hope to see you all there.

 

Have a safe journey home and thanks again.