Key issues related to cargo security practices within the Middle East and Asia regions will be discussed at a conference in Dubai next month.

The 3rd Annual Aviation Security 2011, to be held at the Grand Millenium Hotel from September 18-21, will consider the air-cargo bomb plot in Yemen last year.

A key participant at the conference will be Kelly Hoggan, regional director Asia Pacific/Middle East for Transport Security Administration (TSA).

TSA, which protects US transportation systems to guarantee freedom of movement for commerce, has set a vision for air-cargo security which is the formation of a layered solutions planned to protect against security breaches by using a combination of process along with information sharing and technology-based solutions whilst safeguarding the integrity of the air-cargo supply chain, said a statement.

To better comprehend the air-cargo security systems presently in place in other countries, TSA has taken part in multilateral meetings to encourage best practices in air-cargo security, it said.

Hoggan is responsible for overseeing TSA's regional tactical operations and leveraging TSA's influence for more global security within the Asia and the Middle Eastern regions.

Along with Hoggan, major logistics providers, such as FedEx, TNT Express and CEVA Logistics will gather to discuss the future of air-cargo security to look at new practices and processes to enhance air-cargo security and the implications of 100 percent air-cargo screening bound for US.

At this event, technical advances and new effective strategies in aviation security will be discussed in depth and bring together regional and international security professionals.

They include Colonel Khamis Al Marar, director of Department of Borders & Airports, Abu Dhabi Police, UAE; John Swanepoel, regional security manager, FedEx, UAE; Captain Salah Al Ameri, vice president of aviation security, Etihad, UAE; Cornelius Vuuren, regional security manager, TNT Express; Mike Fazackerley, group security director, Manchester Airport, UK; Paul Linders, director security EMEA, CEVA Logistics, Netherlands and Ahmed Al Haddabi, SVP airport operations, Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC). – TradeArabia News Service