Current security trends and challenges will be discussed by experts from across the region at a three-day forum being held from today in Bahrain.

The Middle East: Homeland and Global Security Forum is being organised by the Interior Ministry in collaboration with Monaco-based Crans Montana Forum, as part of efforts to benefit from international expertise in security.

More than 500 people, including ministers, security experts, consultants, human rights activists, executives from leading international companies, scholars and academics will participate in a combination of closed meetings, public conferences and presentations of products and services.

Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Crans Montana Forum and CMF Middle East chairman and founder Jean-Paul Carteron, GCC secretary-general Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Attiya, and Nato Weapons of Mass Destruction Centre head Ted Whiteside will speak at the opening ceremony.

A presentation on the Interior Ministry and Bahrain's government system will also be made by the ministry's planning and organisation assistant under-secretary, Colonel Khalid Bu Ali.

Other speakers include UK MP and former home secretary Charles Clarke, DHL Logistics senior vice-president and security head Robert Larson and Nasser Military Academy adviser Kamal Ahmed Amer.

The forum aims to open multiple debates between political and government leaders including international organisations, moderated by leading security experts in the Middle East, say organisers.

"It will also allow for the definition and permanent identification of trends in markets specifically concerned with security issues," they said.

"The event will formulate forecasts with regard to security in the region, expose new challenges, search for solutions, and present new products, services, solutions and initiatives while providing businesses with exceptional visibility in a choice setting."

Delegates will examine issues such as the use of information technology by terrorist organisations, security trends in risk in the Middle East and their implications and risk evaluation.

The shift toward nuclear energy in the region, new models of nuclear plant security, proliferation and energy security will also be discussed.

Maritime and airport security, fight against piracy and ways to protect international banking circuits from terrorist penetration will also be covered.

Gulf Air has been named official carrier for the forum, which is being held under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Ministry's public security chief Major General Dr Abdullateef bin Rashid Al Zayani said earlier that the forum was an integral component in securing Bahrain's continued stability and in ensuring the welfare of the international community at large. - TradeArabia News Service