Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Terrorism threat prevention for the oil and gas industry in Central Asia will be addressed at the 2nd CACOGS 2015 Forum in Almaty on March 3-4, 2015.

Security managers will share their expertise on this subject through topical presentations in the capital of Kazakhstan.

The Forum covering all issues that raise security concerns will facilitate discussions on oil theft, maritime security in the Caspian Sea, cyber-attacks, pipeline security, labor relations, the growing threat of terrorism and others key areas. Implications and solutions, future threats and prevention will form the focus of this senior level meeting.

The event is organized by International Research Networks, a leading business intelligence group, transmitting information through the medium of highly topical Conferences, Summits, Round Tables, Reviews and Publications.

The growing sphere of influence of the Islamic State (IS) has led to an increase in extremist rhetoric and activities in many regions around the world, including Central Asia.

The notable increase in terrorist activities, surge in recruitment for terrorist organizations, and rise in illicit oil trafficking to fund these organizations have been largely accredited to the presence of IS agents and sympathizers in Central Asia.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of groups fighting for political or religious rights deploying attacks on oil and gas infrastructure as a means of drawing attention to their cause, and Central Asia is no exception. The 2012 in Amenas attack in Algeria highlighted to the global oil industry just how vulnerable oil and gas facilities can be to terrorist attacks.

Arguably, the biggest problems for States with citizens fighting in Syria or Afghanistan, such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, are what will happen when these radicalized militants return home.

The geographical closeness of Afghanistan and planned departure of the international military force from the country poses an urgent need to review security arrangements in Central Asia to ensure public safety and in turn the political and economic stability of the region. Adjustments to terrorism security planning should be made not only by local Governments but also by national and international oil and gas companies due to their presence and influence in the region.