Fostering regional cooperation to support the detection of terrorists using passenger data: Meeting of the Western Africa Regional Informal Working Group (IWG)
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), through its flagship Countering Terrorist Travel (‘CT Travel’) Programme, and the ’s Airport Communication (AIRCOP) Programme, organized a Director-level coordination meeting on the implementation of Passenger Data Systems in West Africa, in Abidjan, C?te d’Ivoire on 14-15 May. The meeting gathered more than 40 delegates from law enforcement, counter-terrorism, security, and civil aviation agencies of 19 countries across West African. The event was organized as part of the West Africa Informal Working Group (IWG) on Passenger Data.
The West Africa IWG on Passenger Data, which was virtually launched in December 2021, aims to foster regional cooperation and coordination to support the detection of terrorists and other criminals. This UN-facilitated mechanism supports Member States in the region to implement 缅北禁地Security Council Resolutions (2014), (2017), and (2019) by providing a forum to exchange best practices and lessons learned regarding the collection and use of passenger data.
The IWG meeting enabled participants to gain a better understanding of the efforts being made by Member States across the region through discussions on existing API and PNR capabilities. It was also an opportunity to exchange views on how to address common challenges faced in establishing operational passenger information units.
Key points of discussion at the meeting also included:
- the importance of ensuring that solid legal frameworks are in place to regulate the collection, processing and safeguarding of data;
- operational modalities for the establishment of Passenger Information Units;
- best practices for engagement and connectivity with the transport industry, technology and innovation, and
- technical assistance available to support the Member States in strengthening their detection capacities, including through the CT Travel Programme.
Background:
The Countering Terrorist Travel (‘CT Travel’) Programme was established in 2019 to support Member States in responding to the growing threat posed by the movement of foreign terrorist fighters. CT Travel works with 74 Member States to strengthen their capacities to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist offences, including their related travel, by collecting and analyzing passenger data, both API and PNR, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions, international standards and best practices and human rights principles.
This flagship initiative is led by UNOCT and implemented with six other partners: the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), the , the , the , the , and the .
