IPO - Major Events:
Opportunities for Change

UNICRI, through its IPO (International Permanent Observatory on Security during Major Events) programme, is officially mandated by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (E/2006/28) to provide security-planning assistance to Member States.

IPO Programme was launched in 2003 and aims to improve the capabilities of relevant national agencies to maintain the security of major events, by promoting effective, pragmatic and innovative solutions that have added value in terms of legacy and return on investment benefits. Major events offer significant opportunities for change.

IPO offers direct assistance through the provision of advisory and quality assurances services, including the elaboration of scenario-based exercises tailored to meet identified needs.

One of IPO’s main aims is to promote effective dialogue and information-exchange between the hosting country, the wider international security community and all other stakeholders in both public and private sectors, with a view to helping the host nation develop and implement the best possible security planning strategies for their specific event.

Since the launch of the programme in 2003, IPO has assisted a significant number of countries in security planning terms. Our comprehensive range of security planning services is offered for events such as Olympic Games, other Major Sporting Events, G8 and other Political Summits, World and Regional Championships, Expos and other mass events.

In pursuance of our UN Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) remit to strengthen public/private partnerships (PPPs) to protect vulnerable targets, IPO has extended its menu of services to incorporate the design and delivery of PPP capacity building activities to protect life and property in and around major event venues and within the wider community beyond.

The IPO Group of Friends, major event security professionals from International Organizations, Governmental Agencies and the Private Sector, meet bi-annually to review, inform and promote IPO activities.

IPO has an extensive roster of security experts and advisors with combined experience in virtually every aspect of major event security planning. They come from countries and organizations around the world and all are prepared, whenever asked, to fully support the delivery of IPO assistance.

IPO developed a wide range of technical tools, including the IPO Planning Model, the IPO Portal and the Restricted Documentation Centre.