OSCE and International Association of Public Transport to host Urban Transport Security workshop

VIENNA, 28 April 2006 - Recent terrorist attacks on the metros, trains and buses of London, Madrid and Moscow have demonstrated the vulnerability of urban and regional public transport systems. They also highlighted the fact that though terrorism is an international phenomenon, it does not just target international transport.

While the OSCE has already addressed some of the international aspects of transport and travel (containers and maritime services, aviation security and travel documents), the Organization is now contributing significantly to this more recent area of concern.

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) - through its Security Commission, study tours and conferences - has already been very active in bringing together experts from within the sector in order to outline common strategies and define security measures to protect passengers and public transport systems.

But to counter the danger of this terrorist focus on a wide array of "soft targets", a concerted response from both governments and the transport sector is needed.

The OSCE and UITP are therefore jointly holding an Urban Transport Security Workshop on 4 and 5 May, which will be the first of its kind to bring together so many interests from across the 55 OSCE participating States.

The event will provide a platform for government experts and practitioners, as well as representatives from the public and private transport sector to address this new vulnerability. Participants will share experiences and good practices, and exchange information about existing and potential new measures and methods that can be used to reduce the possibility or mitigate the consequences of attacks.

Within the OSCE Secretariat, the Action against Terrorism Unit has taken the lead in arranging this event, which will also contribute to the 2006 Economic Forum, organized by the OSCE Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities. This year's theme is transport security. Within UITP, its Security Commission - which brings together experts from public transport operators, authorities, industry and associations - has been the driving force.

The workshop itself will be closed to the media, but a press conference has been arranged for 10.30 on Friday 5 May in room 201 of the Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna. In addition, several international experts from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan Russia, Spain, the UK and the USA will be on hand to provide detailed briefings. These can be arranged with the OSCE Press Office.

For admittance to the Hofburg Congress Centre, please present your OSCE media badge or a valid recognized press card to the security desk in the main entrance from Heldenplatz. Limited parking space is available, please request a permit.