Amman security forum kick-starts

The fifth session of the Amman Security Colloquium(ASC) , organized by the Arab Institute for Security Studies kicked off here on Wednesday. The two-day event brings together more than 150 local, regional and international figures to debate on issues pertaining to security and the non-proliferation of WMDs. The opening session featured important keynote speakers including the official spokesman of Tunisian Presidency, Minister Adnene Mansar, the EU Special Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process Ambassador Andreas Reinicke and the Deputy Directior General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and MS Grace Asirwatham. Dr. Ayman Khalil, a member of the joint organizing committee, stated that the Arab Consortium on Security and Nuclear Non-Proliferation is an entity that was created with assistance by the League of Arab States, whereas the specialized workshop for journalists and media representatives is organized by Atomic Reporters. He emphasized that the Annual Meeting on a WMDFZ is jointly managed by the Arab Institute for Security Studies and the EU Consortium on Non-Proliferation. Khalil added that the diversity of activities hosted by the Amman Security Colloquium stems from a deep believe of the importance of engaging important stakeholders in WMD and non-proliferation issues. The ASC will host a number of activities including the annual meeting on the prospects of creating a WMD Free Zone in the Middle East in addition to hosting the second coordination meeting of the Arab Consortium for Security and Nuclear Non-Proliferation. It will also witness the organization of a specialized workshop for journalists and media representatives to better equip them covering and writing on WMD issues. The Amman Security Colloquium is one of the important regional security gatherings taking place annually, this year hosting three parallel activities and targeting various sectors, Dr. Ayman Khalil stated. The Amman Security Colloquium is being hosted for the fifth consecutive year.