Qatar's readiness to host World Cup reiterated at conference

* PM opens FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Security Last Mile Conference

* Joint declaration on International Police Co-operation Centre signed

 

 

 

Qatar's readiness to host the FIFA World Cup later this year was reiterated at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Security Last Mile Conference, which was opened by HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Security Committee for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, at InterContinental Doha Sunday morning.The conference outlines Qatar's security readiness to host the World Cup and will discuss measures to enhance police co-operation while following up on the implementation of security plans and strategies in co-operation with partners at the local, regional and international levels. With wide local and international participation, the conference is being held with the aim of emphasising the security readiness of Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 while reviewing the latest security preparations for the tournament. The opening of the conference was attended by a number of ministers, senior officials at the ministries of Defence and Interior, and ambassadors accredited to the State. Participating in the event are more than 40 delegations from the qualified countries, international and regional organisations and guests of the country.“It is, therefore, a space for reflection and recognition of what has been done at all levels, especially the security aspects, which we have given the most attention and care to in preparation, training and qualifying to make it the safest and most secure edition of the World Cup,” he said.Regarding readiness, Maj-Gen al-Ansari noted that Qatar has completed its preparations to host the tournament. “Qatar enjoys high-level security and police services and ranks first in all global security indicators in terms of low crime," he said. These are in addition to possessing security capabilities and competencies that help the country provide the highest levels of security and safety at various international events, many of which were hosted during the Covid-19 crisis with strict health and security measures, he observed.“Qatar's efforts culminated in the hosting of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, which was an important occasion for us for measuring the security, logistical and organisational readiness. It was a real test to measure the quality of security services provided to the public and participants, and we were very pleased with the testimonies of participants from the bodies and organisations overseeing the tournament, as well as the testimony of the participating states, confirming our readiness to make the World Cup the most secure and the safest tournament,” he explained.Maj-Gen al-Ansari reiterated the readiness of Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup, noting that it is a culmination of the continuous efforts made over the past years, which witnessed the development of security strategies and plans based on accurate indicators and best practices that crystallised in the implementation of many programmes, training courses and mock drills.

The 'Watan 1' exercise, with the wide participation of  regional and international countries to implement various scenarios, reflected the integration of roles between security, civil and military authorities, to reach the summit of readiness and preparedness, he added.

Meanwhile, Brig Ibrahim Khalil al-Mohannadi, head of the Legal Affairs and Communication Unit at the committee, confirmed full readiness for the launch of a safe and exceptional tournament.Joint declaration on International Police Co-operation Centre signedThe first day of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Security Last Mile Conference witnessed the signing of the joint declaration on the International Police Co-operationCentre between Qatar and a number of countries and relevant organisations participating in the conference with the aim of exchanging information. Representing the Qatari side, Maj-Gen Abdulaziz Abdullah al-Ansari, head of the Safety & Security Operations Committee for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Brig Ibrahim Khalil al-Mohannadi, head of the Legal Affairs and Communication Unit, and Colonel Khalid Ali al-Kaabi, deputy head of the Legal Affairs and Communication Unit, signed the agreements.