PH joins ICAO symposium on travel mobility, aviation security

Communication Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the Philippine delegation that attended the symposium from Sept. 12 to 14 includes officials and staff of the Presidential Communications Office, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines Ottawa, the Department of Foreign Affairs, APO Production Unit, Inc., and the Bureau of Immigration. (PNA file photo by Cristina Arayata)

MANILA – The Philippines has participated in the 18th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Traveler Identification Program (TRIP) Symposium and Joint International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Biometrics Forum in Montreal, Canada, Malacañang said on Saturday.

Communication Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the Philippine delegation that attended the symposium from Sept. 12 to 14 includes officials and staff of the Presidential Communications Office, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines Ottawa, the Department of Foreign Affairs, APO Production Unit, Inc., and the Bureau of Immigration.

Garafil said the TRIP Symposium served as a platform for attendees to exchange information on all aspects of traveler identification management.

The symposium, she said, emphasized the importance of enhancing international cooperation and collaboration to improve the experience of travelers while addressing the multiple threats faced by international civil aviation.

“The two-part symposium, attended by more than 1,000 attendees from over 30 countries and jurisdictions, tackled technological developments, enhanced policies and best practices on traveler identification and border control to ensure safe and seamless travel,” Garafil said in a statement.

“Among the topics discussed in the symposium include biometrics technology, machine-readable travel documents, document issuance and control, inspection systems and tools, interoperable applications, and, capacity building and assistance to states.”

Garafil said the ICAO/INTERPOL Joint Biometrics Forum also provided insights on best practices, specifications, and technical mechanisms, allowing the successful application and use of biometrics.

She added that the forum also focused on INTERPOL’s role in counterterrorism.

In his opening remarks delivered on Sept. 12, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar emphasized the need to push for innovation and international cooperation in improving traveler mobility and aviation security.

Salazar said the ICAO TRIP Strategy to ensure smooth passenger travel is composed of five key components – evidence of identity, document issuance and control, machine-readable travel documents, inspection systems, and interoperable applications.

He also emphasized the role of technology in both document issuance and inspection processes to enhance the integrity of travel documents.

He added that digital credentials and technologies, such as facial recognition, are vital in ensuring the legitimacy of travelers.

Funded and directed by 193 national governments, ICAO’s core function is to maintain an administrative and expert bureaucracy supporting diplomatic interactions and to research new air transport policy and standardization innovations as directed and endorsed by governments through the ICAO Assembly or by the ICAO Council elected by the assembly.