Astana - The World Tourism Organization UNWTO plans in security conference ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, UNWTO vice secretary general Geoffrey Lipman said on Tuesday.

Lipman said that the conference, set to take place in February in Cape Town, will deal with crime and general security issues for the big football event which takes place in Africa for the first time.

Speaking at the UNWTO general assembly in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Lipman said the conference involving politicians and other experts is to "send a clear signal for further big events."

Security is one of the biggest concerns ahead of the World Cup which takes place June 11-July 11, 2010 in 10 South African cities.