Edinburgh Council-owned venue to host major arms conference

The SPIE defence and security conference will see engineers and international arms industry leaders descend on the Scottish capital between September 16 and 19 for the event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).

The event describes itself as the “premier European conference” in the field of sensors and photonics used for military and counterterrorism purposes – which includes infrared weapons sights, laser-targeting systems and surveillance and reconnaissance technology.

The main event sponsor is arms firm Leonardo, whose factory in the Scottish capital has consistently been targeted by protesters (below) due to the firm’s continued arms sales to Israel.

(Image: Supplied)

This includes laser targeting systems being used on F-35 fighter jets used by the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza, with military spokesperson Daniel Hagari confirming last year in a briefing: “F-35 jets strike terror targets and assist ground forces in very close proximity strikes".

Leonardo also produces military radars for Israel and is part of the Eurofighter consortium, whose fighter jets have been used by Saudi forces in Yemen.

A number of other arms firms are also exhibiting at the conference, including Thales – the world’s 17th largest arms company with £7.4 billion in arms sales in 2022. Thales produces the Watchkeeper drone for the UK MoD via a joint venture with major Israeli arms firm Elbit Systems.

While the EICC is run autonomously, the company is ultimately owned by the Labour-controlled Edinburgh Council, leading to criticism from local MSP and Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater (below).

(Image: PA)

"Leonardo has profited from arming and supporting some of the most abusive regimes and dictatorships in the world," she said. "They are the very last people who should be getting promoted in a council venue."

Slater added: "There is a role for all levels of government if we are to build a safer and more peaceful future.

"Even at the late stage, Edinburgh City Council needs to ask itself if this event is compatible with its values and if it is right to host companies like Leonardo who are complicit in selling violence around the world."

It also comes after Edinburgh Council brought in a new policy in May that meant arms manufacturers and fossil fuel companies will no longer be able to advertise on council-owned assets or offer sponsorship for events in Edinburgh.

The policy will apply to property and assets used or contracted out by the council, such as bus stops across the city.

However, it technically does not apply to arms-length organisations such as Lothian buses or the Edinburgh International Conference Centre – although they can voluntarily do so.

READ MORE: Edinburgh bans advertising on council-owned assets from arms manufacturers

Scottish Greens councillor Ben Parker, who made the original call for divestment, told the Sunday National that the hosting of events such as SPIE defence and security at EICC is “entirely inconsistent” with the council’s statement supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

“[We] say that we need to be doing everything we can to put pressure on Israel to stop the war and to stop the bombing of Palestinians,” he explained.

“But at the same time, we're happy to take money and host organisations that are absolutely involved in that terrible activity.”

Parker also highlighted the EICC’s mission statement on its website.

It reads: “Ideas Worth Spreading' aligns perfectly with the mission of the EICC - to create an environment which inspires ideas that change the world.”

Parker asked: “Is that the kind of changes that we want to see in the world - the horrific bombardment of innocent Palestinians through weapon systems?”

“We've raised concerns in the past in terms of the EICC holding conferences,” Parker added.

“And it's also something that we've had lots of members of the public get in contact with us about as well. We've raised it with the council leader before. We've raised it with senior officers.”

Edinburgh Council are under pressure

The councillor said that there is an ongoing conversation at Edinburgh Council surrounding the appropriate governance surrounding these organisations and whether compliance with the advertising and sponsorship policy should be baked within it instead of being voluntary.

With EICC hosting this event, it looks like they're not going to be voluntarily complying,” Parker said.

“And, of course, I think that there are legitimate business reasons to not go ahead with these sorts of events.

“They are a security risk. We know that people will be protesting them - and they should do. That's the right thing to do.

“These are not the sort of organisations that they need to be doing business with. It's kind of as simple as that.”

Sam Perlo-Freeman – who is a researcher for the Campaign Against Arms Trade – told the Sunday National that the technology being discussed and produced by firms represented at the conference is “critical” to modern warfare.

"Photonics, optronics, sensors are all essential for targeting lasers and sensors and to identify and acquire targets,” he said.

“It's not enough to just not directly host arms fairs if there are public bodies with which the council holds sway and can set policies. It does strike me as washing their hands of it.”

“They should use whatever power or influence they have to stop it.”

An Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “This is a matter for the EICC Board.”

An EICC spokesperson said: "The EICC hosts conferences and events for organisations from multiple industry sectors, and the venue is a space in which a broad range of discussions and points of view are exchanged. 

"We appreciate that some subject matters will be contentious to certain groups and individuals, and we are always vigilant to ensure that there are no breaches of legality around any events held at the venue."

Leonardo and SPIE have been approached for comment.