OSCE workshop promotes establishing Advance Passenger Information (API) system in Serbia

The Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, supported by the OSCE Mission to Serbia, held a three-day workshop in Belgrade from 29 November to 1 December 2016 on establishing an Advance Passenger Information (API) system in the country in line with international standards.

The workshop brought together decision-makers, airport and border control authorities, national police and customs officers, as well as data protection experts with the aim of raising their understanding of the functions and benefits of API in combating terrorism and transnational crime.

API systems are increasingly being used by government authorities for the purpose of regulating the exit, the entry and the transit of air passengers. They are electronic communications systems that allow for the collection of biographical data from the passenger’s travel document before a flight’s departure or its arrival at the airport of destination. When checked against law enforcement watch lists, such as that of INTERPOL, API data can be an effective tool to enhance aviation security.

In close co-operation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and national experts from other OSCE participating States (Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the United States), participants of this workshop managed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current national passenger processing environment, determine the technical assistance needs of the country, and draft a road map that will eventually lead to the establishment of an API system in Serbia.

After the positive outcome, the OSCE’s Action against Terrorism Unit plans to organize a series of national workshops on API in other countries of the region.

The project is part of the OSCE’s efforts to implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2178 and 2309, which aim at improving international and regional co-operation to prevent the movement of foreign terrorist fighters by expanding the use of API systems around the world. While the OSCE has supported the regional workshops organized by UN Counter-Terrorism Centre to raise awareness of UNSC Resolution 2178, this was the first time that such an event targets a specific country.