On May 18, 2016, OSAC Bulgaria Country Council held a conference for OSAC constituents on Geopolitics and Regional Security Threats at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. Three and a half years after Ambassador Ries launched OSAC in Sofia, Ambassador Eric Rubin provided the keynote address to the conference participants, stating that the challenges Bulgaria and the region are facing today are serious, complicated, unpredictable and greatest in recent memory – highlighting the critical role OSAC plays.
More than 40 participants from 35 companies, one academic institution and a religious organization participated in the conference. Attendees were briefed in detail about the factors which lead to the instability of the Middle East countries, the regional geopolitical situation in general and the security threats for EU and Bulgaria, and the joint U.S.-Bulgarian efforts to address those threats. NATO’s engagements and critical role for the stability in the region were also discussed. Speakers included former Bulgarian Ambassadors to Iraq and Russia, and security, military and migration process experts.
There are currently two upcoming events planned in 2016: Conferences on Cybersecurity and Physical Security.
The OSAC was established in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American private sector interest worldwide and the U.S. Department of State. The OSAC Council is comprised of 30 private sector and 4 public sector member organizations that represent specific industries or agencies. Today, the OSAC partnership encompasses ten federal agencies and over 4,600 private organizations, from the business and academic communities to non-governmental and faith-based organizations.
The OSAC Bulgaria Country Council, launched in November 2012, is one of the 141 OSAC chapters around the globe attached to U.S. Embassies and consulates. For more information on OSAC, contact the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy or visit the OSAC website or Linkedin group: OSAC Bulgaria Country Council.
