OSCE completes technical assessment visit on the status implementation of Georgia’s API Roadmap

On 6 and 7 December, the OSCE’s Transnational Threat Department (TNTD) conducted a two-day needs assessment visit in Tbilisi on the status of the implementation of Georgia’s Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) system.

The visit, organised jointly with representatives from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Revenue Service, and the Operative-Technical Agency, served to support implementation of a national passenger data system in the country. It also reaffirmed the OSCE’s commitment in supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2396 (2017) and, UNSCR 2482 (2019).

The visit provided a forum for discussion by all relevant Georgian authorities involved in implementing and managing the country’s API/PNR system, to assess issues that affect the establishment of an efficient and comprehensive travel document system. The topics discussed included negotiating with potential API/PNR system providers, building consensus on future funding; improving connectivity with air carriers; and streamlining co-ordination and co-operation within the existing Eastern European Informal Working Group (EE IWG) towards the establishment of a national Passenger Information Unit (PIU).

The outcome of the discussion was that the establishment of the Georgian PIU will be co-ordinated with due consideration of good practices and lessons learned from other OSCE participating States, by supporting study visits in the course of the next calendar year.

The assessment visit is part of the OSCE’s long-term efforts to support participating States in establishing their own national passenger data systems, which includes legal support, technical assistance and operations/training delivery.