London, UK - 17 February 2004, 16:30 GMT - In conjunction with VISA International, mi2g is sponsoring the third round-table gathering of the Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance - ATCA - at 5:30pm on Wednesday evening - the 18th February - in Central London to debate safety, security and defence issues across the globe and the long term cost for Western businesses. The event is going to be attended by 30 senior delegates from the diplomatic corps, government agencies, financial services, defence groups, utilities, academic bodies and law firms.

The Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance exists to promote the discussion, awareness and solutions to asymmetric threats facing today's society among decision makers so that the correct thinking and appropriate strategy can evolve.

The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 as well as recent insurgence in Russia, the Middle East, South and South East Asia have introduced the world at large and the West in particular to the risk of asymmetric warfare. Developments in Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and North Korea are being watched closely by global players. Any threat which is disproportionate, such as a small group attacking a large country in a way that can harm hundreds, is described as asymmetric. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Digital (CBRN-D) or conventional suicide attacks can all be manifest asymmetrically. Asymmetric warfare waged by land, sea, air, space and computer networks threatens human life, national sovereignty and economic stability.

The panel of experts facilitating the discussion under Chatham House rule will be:

• His Royal Highness Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Ambassador, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
• His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Ambassador, Embassy of the State of Kuwait
• Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Lord Bishop of London
• Lord Howell of Guildford, President, British Institute of Energy Economics
• Sir Samuel Brittan, Commentator and Author, Financial Times
• Sir David Gore-Booth, Former Middle East Director, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Sir Alan Thomas, Chairman, Three Valleys Water
• Sir Harold Walker, Chairman, Royal Society for Asian Affairs
• Dame Stephanie Shirley, Life President, Xansa
• Peter Bottomley, MP, Houses of Parliament
• Andrew Pinder, eEnvoy to the Prime Minister, Cabinet Office
• Prof Jim Norton, Board Member, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
• Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

DK Matai, Executive Chairman, mi2g will be chairing the round-table focused on discussing the impact of co-ordinated asymmetric attacks and the event will be hosted by VISA International CEMEA.

Contingency capability cannot be achieved by technology alone. No amount of security systems can guarantee the protection of human life and the integrity of critical infrastructure with total assurance of business continuity, just as no amount of emergency care will guarantee the survival of an affected civilian population in the face of a CBRN-D or large scale suicide attack.
A comprehensive approach to security takes full account of several interlocking factors: correct people perspective with the attendant public/private sector role and responsibility; technological protection; human resource allocation and management; insurance and reinsurance coverage; and legal obligations. Even with full protection in place, strategic contingency plans for the national economic infrastructure and business continuity must be continually exercised and evolved.

The Asymmetric Threats Contingency Alliance (ATCA) brings together experts from the spiritual, government, financial services, security and defence dimensions. ATCA facilitates:

• The delivery of strategic risk management solutions to public and private sector organisations responsible for economic development; regional safety and disaster recovery; infrastructure, transport and logistical systems.
• Total Information Awareness Systems (TIAS) and Knowledge Management Analysis Systems (KMAS) derived capability for tracking malevolents, contingency planning and mitigating disasters.

Resilience capability through constituent member services with specific expertise.

Copies of the ATCA Opening Speech is available from here.

[ENDS]

Full details of the January 2004 report are available as of 1st February 2004 and can be ordered from here. (To view contents sample please click here).