3rd OSCE-wide Seminar on Passenger Data Exchange

Prompted by an increased risk of returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) following the loss of territory by terrorist groups in conflict zones, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted in December 2017 its Resolution 2396, which builds upon previous resolutions 2178 (2014) and 2309 (2016), and creates obligations for states to collect passenger data. The Resolution decides that:

1. Member States shall require airlines operating in their territories to provide Advance Passenger Information (API) to the appropriate national authorities; and report any movements of FTFs by sharing this information with the relevant States; and ensure API is analysed by all relevant authorities
2. Member States shall develop the capability to collect, process and analyse Passenger Name Record (PNR) data; and ensure it is used by and shared with all their competent national authorities; and encourage the sharing of this data with relevant or concerned States.

Additionally the Resolution calls explicitly on regional organizations, such as the OSCE:

1. To provide technical assistance, resources and capacity building to Member States in order to implement such capabilities.

Following the success of both the 2017 Seminar on Passenger Data Exchange and the 2018 Seminar on Passenger Data Exchange, the OSCE is organising the 3^rd OSCE-wide Seminar on Passenger Data Exchange on 31 October – 1 November 2019, in order to provide assistance as mandated in the Resolution.

The main purpose of this event is support States in developing API/PNR systems and in using the data. Therefore the seminar will focus on the following five areas:

1. What legislation is required for airlines to transmit passenger data;

1. How States should engage with the airlines, and options for connecting with them;

1. Once the data is received, what should a State do with it? Good practices in analysis and profiling;

1. What are the options in the commercial market, compare and contrast products/services/prices;

1. What other technical assistance, resources and capacity building is available to States.