With the COVID-19 Pandemic spread globally in 2020, the world is facing the unprecedented change. The advent of the digital era makes humankind encounter a more uncertain future. Both new opportunities and challenges appeared in digital economy highlighted by artificial intelligence and data security industries from the perspective of non-traditional security. In view of this, the 3nd International Forum on Non-Traditional Security (Hangzhou) was held in Hangzhou on November 21, 2020, sponsored by Zhejiang Association of Security Technology & Protection, The Center for Non-traditional Security and Peaceful Development Studies, Zhejiang University and OSS International Collaboration Center, in conjunction with ICoCA, CGE foundation, Guangxi Southeast Asia Economic and Political Research Institute and others.
With the theme of "International Cooperation on Digital Security and Emergency Response in Post COVID-19 Pandemic Era ", 110 plus experts and scholars from international organizations, security technology industry, security service industry and well-known research institutions participated in the forum to exchange views on best practices of international regulation, digitalization and intelligent security and overseas security service.
Dr. Zhou zhanggui, Secretary General of the forum, ICoCA observer chaired over the forum, who introduced the agenda and panelists. The Forum covers two sessions, Session I: keynote speeches with the theme: new challenges and best practices of security industry during COVID-19 Pandemic situation. 13 distinguished speakers shared their views and practices during the Pandemic. Session II: online global round table dialogue Via ZOOM with the theme: new opportunities and international cooperation of security industry regulation and digitalization development in post COVID-19 Pandemic era.
In the opening ceremony, Mr. ZHAO Yonghua, Secretary General of Zhejiang Association of Security Technology & Protection, and Director of Digital Security and Non-Traditional Security Research Institute, Prof. YU Xiaofeng, Director and Doctoral Supervisor of The Center for Non-traditional Security and Peaceful Development Studies, Zhejiang University, Mr. LI Yanghai, Deputy Director of Guangxi Insitutute of Studies on Economics and Politics of Southeast Asia, Mr. Sumith Nakandala, Senior Advisor of Institute of Overseas Safety and Security(OSS), the former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Permanent Representative to OPCW delivered opening speeches on behalf of the organizers. They all pointed that although the pandemic has added difficulties to international cooperation, the global crisis has also linked all countries tightly. Only by pursuing more open, inclusive, win-win development can we build a better and secure world.
During Session one, in the Keynote remarks by Jamie Williamson, Executive Director, International Code of Conduct Association for Private Security Providers, he pointed out that the year of 2020 marked the 10th anniversary of the signing of the International Code of Conduct for Providers of Private Security. Since signing of ICoC and the establishment of ICoCA, over 100 security companies from the world over, including here in China, have joined the Association and taken the necessary steps to ensure that they are operating in accordance with internationally recognised standards, as contained in the international code of conduct. Through an integrated process of monitoring, certification, capacity building and complaints, the Association, based in Geneva, Switzerland, has worked with its members and affiliates to drive for more responsible private security providers, complying at all times with the principles contained within the code. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us all to rethink the security model and the manner in which private security can be delivered in accordance with the principles contained in the code. In particular, the growing reliance on new technologies by security companies and a growth in the footprint of local security providers give rise to a new set of considerations and realities.
Dr Sorcha MacLeod, Marie Sk?odowska Curie Individual Fellow & Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, also independent human rights expert at the UN Working Group on the use of Mercenaries, made her keynote speech to point out that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen a substantial leap in demand for certain types of private security services from both States and businesses, which has led to the exacerbation of existing challenges in the sector. All of the new developments raise serious human rights concerns and impacts. She highlight briefly five specific concerns which includes: 1. COVID-19 Emergency Laws, 2. Detention Facilities, Immigration Control and Border Management, 3. Medical and Covid-19 Testing Sites, 4. Complicity with Public Security, 5. Consequences for the International Regulatory Framework, she reiterated that States must ensure that emergency legislation adopted to address the public health crisis and enable the outsourcing of security is not misused, particularly in relation to marginalised groups. States and private security providers must accept the necessity for effective monitoring, oversight and accountability, and require effective vetting of contractors, human rights instruction, and training on the use of force.
During the same session, Mr. FAN Shouzheng, member of "BRI" counter terrorism program, Ministry of public security of China, associate professor of Chinese People's Public Security University, Dr. Alessandro Arduino, Principal Researcher of National University of Singapore, Mr. DU Hanping, vice chairman of Hainan Police Association, Mr. SHAO Zhexin, Chairman of the Security Committee of China Hospital Association, Deputy secretary of the Party committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Dr. Anat Hochberg-Marom, Israeli Expert on Global Terrorism & Author of the book–The Art of Marketing Terror 2019, Prof. XIE Guiping, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor of Collaborative Innovation Center for Security and Development of Western China Frontier, Sichuan University, Mr. Caleb Wanga，National Coordinator，Usalama Reforms Forum, Ms. ZHANG Xiaoyuan, CEO of application software development department, International Products and Solutions Center of Hikvision, Mr. Harris Zainul, Public Policy Analyst at ISIS Malaysia, Former Special Officer to the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mr. Motty Presler, CEO of EMPROWs Global Consulting (Israeli) made their speeches from a variety of perspectives.
During session two, the online global round table dialogue via ZOOM, 17 discussants shared their opinions and response in guidance of Dr. ZHOU Zhanggui, the moderator as per questions with the theme of new opportunities and international cooperation of security industry regulation and digitalization in post COVID-19 Pandemic era. The discussants include Dr. Sorcha MacLeod, Mr. Jamie Williamson, Dr. Alessandro Arduino, Dr. Anat Hochberg-Marom, Mr. Caleb Wanga, Mr. Motty Presler, Dr. Jerome Bellion-Jourdan, Senior Fellow in Residence Global Governance Centre, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Former Senior Policy Adviser to European Union, Mr. Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Director General, Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL), and also the discussants incuding Mr. FAN Shouzheng, Prof. YU XiaofengMr. ZHAO Yonghua, Ms. ZHANG Xiaoyuan, Mr. WU Xueyan, General Manager, ZJJH SECURITY / Overseas Security Guardians, Mr. WANG Xumin, Chairman of Shanghai UAV Safety Management Association, Mr. ZHENG Xuelin, President, Hangzhou Security Service Group, Mr. XU Min，President, Nanhu Security Service Company, Jiaxing City, etc.
During the Closing Session of the Forum, Dr. ZHOU Zhanggui summarized the consensus of the forum and introduced the follow-up mechanism. He made remarks that in post COVID-19 Pandemic era, international collaboration through dialogue and negotiation become more important to promote the sound development of good governance, industry transition, public participation, with input from all stakeholders. According his conclusion, the forum fully demonstrated a platform for multi stakeholders to exchange their different views for mutual understanding.