The event is supporting participants to gain a better understanding of the efforts being made by Member States in the region to counter terrorist travel using passenger data, thanks to a regional situational analysis of Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems shared by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Screening against international databases, passenger data collection within various cross-border transportation modalities, legal frameworks, and real-time communication channels were also key points of discussion. 

“We always recall the saying that security isn’t something you buy, but it is something you do; and you need skilled, trained and talented people to do it. Therefore, this training on setting-up passenger information unit and processing API and PNR is of vital importance,” stated Mr. Matt Friesen, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Canada in Egypt.

“The European Union is a global player in security and our aim is to ensure coordination with Partner Countries and International Organizations. This is at the heart of the EU’s Counter-Terrorism and Security Strategies. This includes building partnerships and offering support to our partners along the entire Counter Terrorism cycle in order to Anticipate, Prevent, Respond and Protect from terrorist attacks and serious crimes,” noted Ambassador Christian Berger, the European Union Ambassador to Egypt. 

Flagging the importance of the international framework for countering terrorist travel using passenger data, Ms. Christine Bradley, UNOCT Chief of Countering Terrorist Travel Section, pointed to the importance of the event, noting that ‘’Collectively with our implementing partners, all of whom are also here today, we have been delivering concrete technical assistance to States on legal, operational, transport industry and technical matters since the CT Travel Programme was launched in 2019. That is why we see this workshop as the first steppingstone in a long journey. We are hopeful that the community of practitioners and experts who have gathered here from 13 Arab Member States will continue their engagement, coordination, and mutual support on API-PNR matters for the years to come.’’

“Organized criminal groups have long focused on speeding up and expanding the transportation of drugs and other illicit goods by using aircrafts, ships, or containers. Aviation is likely to remain an attractive sphere for committing organized crime. Through its Global AIRCOP Programme, UNODC with its regional partners, has been supporting cooperation and communication between origin, transit, and destination countries with the purpose of disrupting cross-border illicit flows and criminal networks,” affirmed Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative for MENA at the event.

The regional workshop was organized to foster the sharing of best practices, lessons learned and enable the widest possible cooperation and exchange of information between Passenger Information Units in the region.  A number of Member States within the MENA are already benefiting from the comprehensive, yet tailored support available under the CT Travel Programme, and the global AIRCOP Programme is implemented in many airports within the region. 

As global travel continues to rebound following the global COVID-19 pandemic, members of terrorist groups and other transnational organized crime groups will continue to take advantage of existing pressures on air, land, and maritime borders across the globe, exploiting the increasing connectivity offered by airlines. The collection and processing of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data tools can support combatting transnational crimes, through the identification, detection, and interception of terrorists, including Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs), and other serious criminals. 

In 2019, the CT Programme was launched to support Member States respond to this ever-evolving threat.  The Programme is a global initiative that aims to build the capacities of Member States to prevent, detect, and investigate terrorist offences and other serious crimes, including their related travel, by collecting and analyzing passenger data, both API and PNR, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, international standards and best practices and human rights principles.

AIRCOP through its recognized operational experience and support to establish inter-agency units and build national capacities to target and intercept high-risk passengers, is a key implementing partner of the CT Travel Programme. AIRCOP is providing customized technical assistance to Member States focused on supporting the advance targeting capacities, strengthening frontline identification and detection capabilities, and facilitating interagency cooperation and communication.

Background:

The Countering Terrorist Travel (‘CT Travel’) Programme was launched in 2019 to support Member States respond to the growing threat posed by the movement of foreign terrorist fighters. The Programme is a global initiative that aims to build Member States capacities to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist offences and other serious crimes, including their related travel, by collecting and analyzing passenger data, both API and PNR, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, international standards and best practices and human rights principles.

A flagship global initiative of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the Programme currently supports 65 beneficiary Member States and is implemented with the support of six partners United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through AIRCOP and the UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations Office of Information and Communication Technology (OICT), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

AIRCOP is implemented by UNODC in partnership with INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization, as part of the UNODC Passenger and Cargo Border Team. It aims at strengthening the capacities of international airports to target and intercept high-risk passengers, cargo, and mail, as a contribution to the fight against illicit drugs and other illicit commodities (such as wildlife products or falsified medical products), terrorism-related threats (such as arms or potential foreign terrorist fighters), trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. Moreover, it aims at facilitating communication and coordination between origin, transit, and destination countries to disrupt cross-border illicit flows and criminal networks. AIRCOP is active in more than 40 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, South-Eastern Europe, and South-East Asia.