LONDON, 18 April 2005 – Increased terrorist activity is making the world a riskier place in which to do business, according to Aon’s 2005 Terrorism Risk map released today. The map assesses the level and nature of terrorist threat around the world and is the second in what is to become an annual series.
Of the 31 countries receiving higher terrorism risk ratings than last year, almost half (48%) are in Western Europe. Among these, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark have all been marked as higher risk because of increased extremist activity by their domestic Muslim and Islamic populations. The most recent manifestation of this was the murder of filmmaker Theo Van Gogh in November 2004 by a Dutch Moroccan Islamic extremist.
Fears that Islamic extremists might stage attacks to try to influence the UK general election on 5 May also reinforce the UK's risk rating, which remains unchanged from last year.
The Terrorism Map shows that participation in the US-led Iraq coalition has increased terrorism risk in countries such as Australia, Poland and Estonia. There is concern that Al-Qaida and other international terrorist organisations could take advantage of anti-western sentiment and launch terrorist attacks in these countries in future. Businesses which originate from these countries should also be aware of threats to their operations and personnel abroad as evidenced by incidents such as the terrorist attack on the Australian embassy in Indonesia, the recent bombing of a British theatre and school in Qatar and the thwarted plot to blow up the Italian embassy in Lebanon.
“Terrorism is not a new threat and many international businesses have to date been rightly preoccupied with the risks facing their operations in the Middle East, Africa and the Gulf. Although companies do need to be aware of the global picture, the 2005 map highlights the need for vigilance in so called ‘safer’ European countries,” commented Justin Priestley, director in Aon’s Crisis Management division.
“Companies must acquire as much knowledge as possible about the risks they face and their exposure to those risks in order to minimise the human and financial impact of such attacks. Businesses can then assess how best to allocate their expenditure on insurance and counter terrorist risk management procedures effectively,” added Paul Bassett, executive director of Aon’s Crisis Management division.
About Aon:
Aon Corporation (www.aon.com) is a leading provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and specialty insurance underwriting. The company employs approximately 48,000 professionals in its 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Backed by broad resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise, Aon professionals help a wide range of clients develop effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions.
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Aon Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only.
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