OSCE assists Turkmenistan in enhancing security and facilitation at airports

ASHGABAT, 18 December 2014 –Twenty-two officials from the airport and aviation security, document issuance and passport control agencies of Turkmenistan attended a two-day, OSCE-organized seminar on identity management and biometrics that concluded in Ashgabat today. 

The seminar, facilitated by four international experts from Australia, France, the Netherlands and Singapore was aimed at raising participants’ awareness on international best practices for exit, entry and transit controls at airports and the use of new technologies.

“The project is designed to assist Turkmenistan in addressing modern security threats and challenges. It complements the introduction of new electronic passports in Turkmenistan by facilitating professional dialogue between international experts and the host country’s agencies,” said Christopher Hornek, Project Co-ordinator of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “The seminar effectively contributed to an exchange of best practices and knowledge that would lead to enhanced identity management and greater passenger facilitation at Turkmenistan’s airports.”

Throughout the year, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat has implemented several activities on raising awareness and building the capacity of relevant government officials for streamlining passport and identity control, and the use of new technologies for traveller facilitation and security at airports.

The experts leading the training are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Implementation and Capacity Building Working Group (ICBWG).