OSCE seminar in Tajikistan aims at preventing terrorists crossing borders

DUSHANBE, 2 March 2016 – An OSCE-supported seminar focusing on the use of a technologically advanced passport verification system, the International Civil Aviation Organization’ Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD), concluded today in Dushanbe.

The two-day workshop brought together relevant experts from migration and border agencies in Tajikistan in order to get acquainted with the multilateral technical platform enabling the effective validation of electronic security features stored in the biometric passport.

“55 of the 57 OSCE participating States issue ePassports, however, only 24 are members of the PKD and Tajikistan is not part of them,” said Elizabeth AbelaHampel, Deputy Head of the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit. “Joining the ICAO PKD is a proactive approach in fighting international terrorism and preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists because it allows for a fast and effective multilateral validation that an ePassport is genuine.”

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department organized the event in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

The OSCE is working to increase the membership of the ICAO PKD by organizing targeted workshops focusing on either awareness-raising or facilitating participation for those States wishing to join.

Since the adoption of the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision in 2009 on promoting the ICAO PKD, similar workshops have been held in Albania, Armenia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

To learn about the OSCE Travel Document Security Programme visit:  //www.osce.org/atu/73637