Mati Kochavi - Founder and CEO of AGT International and Chairman Of 3i-MIND - Leads Panel on Urban Management at Economist Ideas Forum

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading a special session at the Economist Ideas: Information forum that featured Lieutenant Governor of California Gavin Newsom, Mati Kochavi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AGT International and Chairman of 3i-MIND, assured that in order to meet future population growth, become more energy efficient, improve security, and modernize procedures, cities must eliminate the silo management approach currently in use, and instead share information across the board to truly integrate their infrastructures.

Moderated by Tom Cochran, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the United States Conference of Mayors, the session  - "Cities And Security: Resilience And Risk In A Borderless World" - addressed the key issues surrounding  urban management in today's urbanized world. Additional panelists included Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California and former Mayor of San Francisco, and Ajay Prasad, former Secretary of the Ministries of Defense and Civil Aviation, Government of India.

Addressing the forum, Mr. Kochavi said: "We live in an increasingly complex, urbanized world; one that is embedded with new vulnerabilities, challenges, and threats. By 2050, the United Nations predicts that 7 of every 10 people will live in massive urban centers that will be presented with complicated issues. Well-run cities will be the safest places on earth, but will also need to manage the evolving needs of their cities and populations." Continuing, Mr. Kochavi stated: "Cities need to invest now to make their centers more intuitive and intelligent; to ensure well-being and security for their citizens. City managers need to embrace a holistic, integrated urban management approach to make sure that they can predict, prevent, prepare, and manage any challenge."

AGT International's Urban Management solution provides a central platform for all stakeholders to plan for and manage the multi-dimensional opportunities and risks that arise in the urban environment by streamlining the management of basic urban services, and providing integration between city agencies such as energy, water, sanitation, mass transit and traffic control. Whether it be a natural or man-made disaster, terrorist threat, or an unexpected technological disruption, AGT's Urban Management solution analyzes data and information, and transforms it into intelligence that enables public officials, first-responders and government agencies to make quick and coordinated decisions for an effective response.

The Economist Ideas Economy: Information forum, titled "Making Sense of the Deluge", took place in Santa Clara, California this week and was attended by innovative policy makers, business leaders, and theorists. Through interactive panel discussions and special sessions, the forum examined the data revolution from a range of perspectives.

About AGT International:

One of the fastest-growing public safety and security solutions organizations in the world, AGT International has operations on five continents. Led by a unique vision, AGT International combines the brain trust of its brightest minds globally with ahead-of-the-curve technology to unlock the world's potential. AGT International partners with governments and corporations to help them predict, prepare for, prevent, and manage challenges and threats that arise in complex environments – with services that include urban management, health emergency management, cyber and food security.  Founded 4 years ago and led by Founder and CEO Mati Kochavi, AGT International currently has nearly 2,000 employees worldwide and is managing $8 billion in projects. AGT International is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

SOURCE AGT International