Qatar, Interpol sign agreement to continue Project Stadia

Tribune News Network Doha An agreement has been signed between Qatar and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to extend cooperation fo...

Tribune News NetworkDohaAn agreement has been signed between Qatar and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to extend cooperation for Project Stadia, which was established by Interpol in 2012, with funding and support from the Qatar and with the aim of serving countries wishing to host major sporting events. The agreement was signed on the last day of the two-day Last Mile Security Conference for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. On behalf of Qatari side, Chairman of the Security and Safety Operations Committee of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Maj Gen Eng Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ansari, and on behalf of the Interpol, Stephen Kavanagh, executive director of Police Services, Interpol, signed the agreement.A joint declaration on the International Police Cooperation Centre was also signed between Qatar and a number of countries participating in the conference. “The bonds of communication between Qatar, FIFA, the World Health Organisation and other relevant international bodies and organisations were also strengthened and continuation of this approach in the coming years will contribute in achieving the highest levels of security and safety at the international level,” Stephen Kavanagh said.In a statement to the media on the sidelines of the agreement signing ceremony, Falah Al-Dosari, director general of the Stadia Project said that the agreement to extend the cooperation between the State of Qatar and Interpol is an affirmation of the efforts made by the two sides over the past years. Al Dosari also underlined that Qatar was able to train and qualify its national cadres at the highest level, which made the Stadia Project guided by Qatari cadres to participate in international sporting events, to benefit from the knowledge earned by the law enforcement agencies in Qatar in securing these major events. He also clarified that the success of the Stadia Project was a catalyst for the signing of the extension agreement until 2024 due to the urgent need for such a project that works to leave a common international legacy.“During the conference, a number of participating countries expressed their hope to extend cooperation between the State of Qatar and Interpol for more than two years, which indicates the insightful vision of the Qatari leadership, which discovered the international need for this project long before today and the Interpol would like to extend beyond 2024, but before that we have to develop plans and work on that,” Al Dosari added.The first session of the second day of the Last Mile Security Conference for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, discussed the experience of the Stadia Project in securing major events over 10 years, in which Falah Al-Dosari spoke about Interpol’s tasks in the areas of combating terrorism and cyber threats, and addressing emerging crimes. He also presented an overview of Stadia Project as an inspiring experience in assisting member states in planning to host major sporting events. Colonel Khaled Al Kaabi spoke about the importance of the IPCC in exchanging information and creating a safe environment for fans attending Qatar 2022, and Brig Khalil Ibrahim Al-Mohannadi, Head of the Legal Affairs and Communication Unit delivered a comprehensive presentation that summarised key findings of the Conference. The conference concluded with final remarks by Maj Gen Eng Al Ansari, who reaffirmed Qatar’s readiness to host a safe and secure tournament – one that is open to everyone and he invited fans from around the world to enjoy the tournament while learning about the country’s culture and heritage.