The Aspen Institute and AGT International Announce New Ambassadors Roundtable Series

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aspen Institute and AGT International, one of the fastest-growing public safety and security solutions organizations in the world, announced today the creation of the Ambassadors Security Roundtable, a new initiative to promote greater international understanding and cooperation in the critically important field of security.

The Ambassadors Security Roundtable will be a quarterly convening of ambassadors from around the globe. Participants will gather at the Aspen Institute's Wye River campus on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to discuss region-specific security issues. Discussions will focus primarily on traditional "national security" issues like military or terror threats and diplomatic disputes; however, the topic is broad enough to encompass a wide range of other issues, recognizing that different countries and regions define the term differently and have differing security priorities and perspectives.

Each meeting will focus on a different region and set of topics of concern to that region. Participants at these meetings will include ambassadors from countries in the region and some of their key advisors, Aspen Institute staff, and representatives of AGT International.

In acknowledging the creation of this program and expressing his appreciation to AGT International for its support, President and CEO Walter Isaacson said, "This new program will provide a forum for the diplomatic community in Washington to meet regularly to discuss security issues of individual and mutual concern. Out of this dialogue, we hope and expect that relationships will be formed that might not otherwise be, and, as a result, differences can be minimized, and cooperation can be maximized. AGT International has significant expertise in the area of safety and security. We value their collaboration with the Aspen Institute and this important program."

AGT International Founder and CEO Mati Kochavi, said "National security becomes more complex on a daily basis. In addition to traditional issues, geopolitical, and terror activities, the world is challenged by the stresses of failing and faltering economies, natural disasters, social unrest, urbanization and no man's lands.  Societies have to work harder than ever before in order to maintain stability and well being for their communities. We believe that the Aspen Institute is the ideal organization for us to collaborate with to launch the Ambassadors' Security Roundtable. Encouraging open dialogue and forging new relationships is a key step toward making the world a safer place."

Since 2012 is a presidential election year, the roundtable will mark the occasion on November 8 with a post-election luncheon at the Four Seasons in Washington for the entire diplomatic corps.  The luncheon will focus on the policy implications of the election, and will feature former National Security Adviser to President Carter, Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, in conversation with Walter Isaacson.

AGT International is a public safety and security solutions organization headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with operations across the globe. It develops and implements intelligent, technology-based products and solutions that keep people, assets and infrastructure safe, in the areas of critical infrastructure and border protection, urban management, cyber security, transportation, law enforcement, and natural disaster preparedness.  AGT International employs 2,300 people worldwide, representing more than 50 nationalities. The organization was founded in 2007, and is managing $8 billion in projects. AGT International is led by Founder and CEO, Mati Kochavi.

The Aspen Institute Homeland Security Program works to heighten public awareness as to the nation's continued vulnerability to terrorism, and to persuade the nation to take the necessary steps to close the gap between how secure we should be and how secure we actually are. For more information, please visit www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/homeland-security.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. For more information, please visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

SOURCE The Aspen Institute