UN coordinates talks on improving security at major events in Europe

The need to coordinate and improve security at major events in Europe tops the agenda at a conference in Rome this week organized by the Italian Government with the support of the United Nations.

“The driving force behind this initiative is the need for effective security policies supporting the efforts of major events organizers,” Sandro Calvani, Director of the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), told participants today.

The three-day meeting which began yesterday was “a great opportunity to maximize the potential of cooperation between countries and between private and public sectors,” he added.

The conference, during which the results of four years of research on security at major events is being presented, is focusing on coordination between both national and international organizations to avoid overlap and to create a unified approach to security.

Representatives from police forces across Europe are attending.

Mr. Calvani said the gathering is expected to launch a second phase of research with the aim of harmonizing national security research policies to create a European House of Major Events.