Seeking to progress key homeland security agreements and objectives, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced expanded security cooperation with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Robert Silvers, Under Secretary for Policy at the DOE, penned security arrangements with Qatar and engaged with government partners in Qatar and the UAE, discussing security issues and commitments for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this year. In a joint statement, Silvers and Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani jointly announced cooperative efforts to strengthen Qatar’s event security, port security, screening, contraband interdiction, and risk management capabilities for the World Cup.
“DHS is proud to continue to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Qatar through new security arrangements that expand our operational collaboration and highlight our support to secure the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” Silvers said. “The Department will also continue to build on its partnerships with the United Arab Emirates across critical security missions.”
Smuggling, fraudulent documents, and enhanced border security were also under the spotlight of their visit, resulting in a Memorandum of Cooperation establishing a Joint Security Program to identify terrorist and trafficking-affiliated air passengers and reaffirming their commitments to implementing a visa validation program and countering threats from drones.
Also in Qatar, Silvers and the President of the National Cyber Security Agency of Qatar, Abdulrahman Ali Al Maliki, penned a Joint Statement of Intent on Cybersecurity Cooperation to expand sharing of cybersecurity threat information, best practices, risk management, and technical information. With Qatar General Authority of Customs Chairman Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, he also signed letters of intent to further negotiations on customs cooperation. While there, Silvers – on behalf of the DHS – thanked Qatar and interagency teams for joint efforts to resettle Afghan refugees.
Later, in the UAE, Silvers met with members of the Ministry of Interior to discuss improving joint research and development efforts, law enforcement training, and counterterrorism cooperation. With the Dubai Police, Silvers also pondered improved cooperation in aviation and border security, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and combating cybercrime.