2nd 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 obliges States: (i) to collect Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) data; (ii) to develop systems to collect biometric data; and (iii) to share this information bilaterally and multilaterally including by using databases such as those of INTERPOL.

The value of passenger data exchange systems, in particular API, for enhancing border management and detecting and preventing the movement of FTFs, has repeatedly been emphasized by the international community. In December 2016, OSCE participating States adopted Decision 6/16 on Enhancing the Use of API, which stipulates that States will establish national API systems in alignment with existing international standards and seek to automatically cross-check the data against watch lists. Supporting participating States in implementing Decision 6/16 was the primary goal of last year’s OSCE-wide Seminar on Passenger Data Exchange, which took place from 28 to 29 September 2017 in Vienna.

However, new developments have taken place in recent months. Since 23 February 2018, the setting up of national API systems is an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard, which makes it mandatory for all Contracting States to the Chicago Convention. In addition, 2396 is the first UNSC Resolution that calls upon States to collect, process and analyse Passenger Name Record (PNR) data.

The collection of biometric data, including fingerprints, photographs and the use of facial recognition, is also an international obligation included in Resolution 2396 in order to properly identify terrorists. But due to the transnational nature of this threat, sharing this information with other States is as important as collecting it. This is the reason why 2396 mandates States to share PNR and biometric data responsibly with each other, as well as with INTERPOL and other relevant international bodies.

Compliance with all these commitments is a massive undertaking and some States might face challenges due to limited capacity and resources, which means that certain provisions may take years to achieve. International and regional organizations like the OSCE can play an important role in providing technical assistance and capacity-building to States in order to assist them in the implementation of passenger data solutions and systems for the collection of biometric information.

The main purpose of the 2^nd OSCE-wide Seminar on Passenger Data Exchange is to help States better understand the international obligations related to border management included in Resolution 2396, to identify their technical assistance needs and challenges, and to determine ways in which the OSCE can support them in fulfilling their obligations.

Therefore, this OSCE-wide Seminar will focus on four main topics:

1.       Overview of passenger data: what are API and PNR and how to set up a passenger data exchange system?

2.       National experiences in establishing passenger data exchange systems – lessons learned and best practices;

3.       Biometric technology and identity management: overview of current counter-terrorism biometric systems, its benefits and human rights implications.

4.       The importance of information-sharing at the national and the international levels: connecting to watch lists and populating databases.