"Due to our moderate policies, we are unique in this regard," said Major General Obaid Al Hairi, Deputy Commander in Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, adding that those policies shield the country from the fallout of the unrest engulfing the Arab world.
"We do not expect similar incidents to take place in the UAE," he noted.
Al Hairi described the need to complete threat and risk assessments as crucial.
"The analysis enables the command team to identify and mitigate risks and threats and to take proportionate security measures. A holistic joint intelligence approach must be taken to ensure all relevant information is captured and evaluated," he said while speaking at the International Security National Resilience (ISNR) Exhibition and Conference that took place yesterday at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Clarity for partners
Al Hairi also called for a planning structure for managing events.
"Abu Dhabi is increasingly hosting regional and international events including conferences, VIP visits, exhibitions, a variety of sporting events, concerts and large scale of public celebrations," he stressed.
Al Hairi highlighted that these events cannot succeed without full partnership between stakeholders.
"Abu Dhabi has a defined command structure," he said, pointing out that it is essential to agree on roles and responsibilities in addition to levels of privacy as they help provide clarity for all partners.
Abel Gonzales, vice-president of the International Commission on Radiological Protection and Member of Argentine Academy of Environmental Sciences, said: "Members of the public, the media, and political representatives have become concerned about the possible malevolent use of resources and devices, containing radioactive materials, the possibility of sabotage attacks on nuclear facilities, the potential diversion of nuclear weapon materials as well as its use in improvised nuclear devices," Gonzales stressed.
He called for planning and preparation by pre-assessing potential consequences and establishing protective measures.
For his part, Ebrahim Al Abed, director general of the National Media Council, touched upon the importance of religious leaders and clerics in directing people’s way of thinking, saying that the fight against extremist views and acts is multifaceted and not confined to governments.
