Greece has been in the forefront of the global migration crisis since it started in 2015.

Discover the latest threats and challenges facing the region and broader international scope.

Latest Official Programme for Athens 2020
The conference committee have announced the provisional programme for World Border Security Congress to be held at Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens from the 31st March – 2nd April 2020.
This year’s programme theme is ‘Continuing the Discussion and Dialogue for Building Trust and Co-operation’ and will discuss the latest challenges and issues facing the international borders community.
Downloaded here – www.world-border-congress.com/PSG.

SPEAKERS CONFIRMED INCLUDE:

• Margherita Natali, Associate Programme Officer, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Counter Terrorism Centre, Border Security and Management Unit
• Nelson Goncalves, Senior IBM Specialist and Manager of the IOM African Capacity Building Centre, IOM, Tanzania
• Angelisa Corbo, Border Adviser, OSCE
• Vladimir Pivovarov, National Coordinator, National Coordinative Centre for Integrated Border Management, North Macedonia
• Guido Ferraro di Silva e Castiglione, Commander (ITA Coast Guard, Res), Transport and Border Security Unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
• Cristina Gatões, National Director of the Immigration and Border Service, Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF)
• Jim Nye, Assistant Chief Constable – Innovation, Contact & Demand & NPCC Maritime Lead, Devon & Cornwall Police, UK
• Dr Aikaterini Poustourli, Scientific/Technical Officer, Capacity Building, IHU-ΔΙΠΑΕ, Greece
• Dr Olomu Babatunde Olukayode, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service
• Sanusi Tasiu Saulawa, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Nigeria Customs Service
• Heiko Werner, Head of Security Group, Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, Germany
• Gerald Tatzgern, Head of Joint Operational Office, Public Security Austria
• Peter Nilsson, Head of AIRPOL
• Wayne Salzgaber, Director, INTERPOL Washington
• Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Adviser on Anti-Trafficking Issues, OSCE
• James Garcia, Assistant Director, Cargo & Biometrics – Global Targeting Advisory Division National Targeting Center – U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Valdecy Urquiza, Assistant Director – Vulnerable Communities – INTERPOL General Secretariat
• Hans Peter Wagner, National Expert, Senior Chief Inspector, Federal Police
• Mile Milenkoski, Senior adviser, Department for borders, passports and overflights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of North Macedonia

See Speakers List lineup >>

2015/16 saw the escalation of the global migration crisis, with mass movements of people fleeing the war zones of the Middle East as well as illegal economic immigration from Africa and elsewhere. International terrorism shows every sign of increasing, posing real threats to the free movement of people.

Today, these incidents see the continuation of the migration challenges for the border management and security community, as little sign of peace and security in the Middle East is apparent and porous borders in Africa continue to provide challenges.

Current Border Security Challenges:
– Migration Crisis Tests European Consensus and Governance
– Migrants and refugees streaming into Europe from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia
– Big Business of Smuggling Enables Mass Movement of People for Enormous Profits
– Climate Change and Natural Disasters Displace Millions, Affect Migration Flows
– Europe and the United States Confront Significant Flows of Unaccompanied Child Migrants
– Tackling Southeast Asia’s Migration Challenge
– ISIS threatens to send 500,000 migrants to Europe
– Border Skirmishes Resonate in National Domestic Politics
– Women’s Labour Migration from Asia and the Pacific

Continuing the discussion, collaboration and intelligence sharing.

The 2020 World Border Security Congress is supported by the Ministry of Civil Protection of Greece, Center for Security Studies (KEMEA), Organization for Security & Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), African Union ECOSOCC (AU-ECOSOCC), European Association of Airport & Seaport Police, International Security Industry Organisation, National Security & Resilience Consortium and International Association of CIP Professionals.

Building Trust and Co-operation through Discussion and Dialogue

As we see the continued escalation of the global migration crisis, with mass movements of people fleeing the war zones of the Middle East as well as illegal economic immigration from Africa and elsewhere, international terrorism shows every sign of increasing, posing real threats to the free movement of people.

The world is expected to see a continuation of the migration challenges for the border management and security community, as little sign of peace and security in the Middle East is apparent and porous borders in Africa continue to provide challenges.

International organised criminal gangs and human and drug trafficking groups exploit opportunities and increasingly use the internet and technology to enhance their activities.

Controlling and managing international borders in the 21st Century continues to challenge the border control and immigration agencies around the world. It is generally agreed that in a globalised world borders should be as open as possible, but threats continue to remain in ever evolving circumstances and situations.

Advancements in technology are assisting in the battle to maintain safe and secure international travel. The border security professional still remains the front line against these threats.

The World Border Security Congress is a high level 3 day event that will discuss and debate current and future policies, implementation issues and challenges as well as new and developing technologies that contribute towards safe and secure border and migration management.

The premier multi-jurisdictional transnational platform where the border  protection, management and security industry policy-makers and practitioners convene annually to discuss the international challenges faced in protecting borders.

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