Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - Aviation

CTED Executive Director attends meeting of ICAO Air Transport and Unlawful Interference Committees — signs cooperation arrangement

AKHVEDELID — Fri, 18 May 2018 05:36:00 +0000

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ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu and CTED Executive Director Michèle Coninsx at the signature of the agreement between the two entities.

On 17 May 2018, the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), Assistant Secretary-General Ms. Michèle Coninsx, attended a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Transport and Unlawful Interference Committees in Montreal.

In her statement, Ms. Coninsx emphasized that many States continue to face significant challenges in their efforts to strengthen their borders against the threat posed by terrorists and terrorist groups. In its resolution 2309 (2016), the Security Council identified steps to be taken by Member States to strengthen their implementation of the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of ICAO.

In order to effectively inspect travellers at airports, a combination of mechanisms should be in place. They include Advance Passenger Information (API), Passenger Name Records (PNR), biometric technologies, and access to watch lists and the INTERPOL database of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD). In accordance with Security Council resolution 2309 (2016), CTED engages with Member States on the particular concern that terrorist groups may be actively seeking ways to defeat or circumvent international civil aviation security measures and to identify and exploit perceived gaps or weaknesses. Ms. Coninsx referred to the requirements of Security Council resolution 2396 (2017) and the urgent need to strengthen the sharing of information by airlines and Governments on API and PNR systems.

Ms. Coninsx commended the cooperation between CTED and ICAO, which includes the participation of ICAO experts, not only in country visits of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, but also in its special meetings and open briefings, as well as in various CTED activities. The latter include initiatives pertaining to border management, travel documents, security, and the facilitation of technical assistance. These issues are also addressed within the framework of the Working Group of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) on Border Management and Law Enforcement, which is chaired by CTED. Additionally, CTED fully supports the implementation of tools and instruments developed by ICAO, such as the ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan.

In the framework of the meeting, Ms. Coninsx and ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu signed an arrangement on cooperation between CTED and ICAO. The objective is to further strengthen and enhance cooperation and information-sharing relating to border management, aviation security, and counter-terrorism, with a view to enhance the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions. The arrangement represents a basis for future cooperation, but also recognizes joint achievements. Furthermore, the arrangement aims to leverage expertise, optimize resources, avoid duplication of efforts, and maximize deliverables to Member States.

The arrangement will be followed by a joint action plan, and build upon past cooperation initiatives between the two entities.

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Security Council holds meeting on terrorist threats to aviation security

BMUSONI — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:30:00 +0000

On 27 September 2017, the Security Council held a meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, particularly focusing on aviation security. The Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Fang Liu briefed the Council on the new ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan.

Enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of global provisions in aviation in general, the plan will specifically support both UN Security Council resolution 2309 (2016) and the 51�Թ� Global Counter-terrorism Strategy, Secretary-General Liu said. She further noted five priority areas the plan aims to address: enhancing risk awareness and response; establishing a better-defined security culture; improving technological resources and fostering innovation; improving oversight and quality assurance; and increasing cooperation and support.

Chairman of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee and Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the 51�Թ�, H.E. Amr Aboulatta, recognized the central role that the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) plays in supporting the implementation of key resolutions, including 2309 (2017). As evidenced by CTED’s assessments and analysis work, Mr. Aboulatta pointed out, only 57 Member States have introduced an Advance Passenger Information (API) system.

“The low level of API implementation represents a major security gap,” Ambassador Aboulatta said.

The webcast of the proceedings can be accessed here.

ICAO Secretary-General Fang Liu’s statement is available here.

Counter-Terrorism Committee Chairman Amr Aboulatta’s statement is available here.

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CTED supports Africa in enhancing aviation security

BMUSONI — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:03:00 +0000

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CTED representative speaking at the Ministerial Conference in Windhoek.

A Ministerial Conference on Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa was held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 4 to 8 April 2016. The event, co-hosted by the Government of Namibia and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in collaboration with the African Union Commission, aimed at addressing new and emerging security threats, as well as facilitation issues, in Africa.

“Effective border control is the first line of defence against the movement of terrorists across borders and the illegal cross-border movement of goods and cargo, and it is key to the effective implementation of counter-terrorism measures pursuant to Security Council resolutions,” stressed Mr. Weixiong Chen, Deputy Executive Director of the 51�Թ� Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), in his speech at the Ministerial event.

“Resolution 2178 (2014) obliges Member States to take steps to ensure aviation security by introducing an Advance Passenger Information (API) system. In this regard, CTED will continue to work with ICAO and other partners in facilitating the delivery of technical assistance to Member States which need capacity-building in aviation and facilitation according to two annexes to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation,” added Mr. Chen. “Effective border control should also be part of any comprehensive and integrated national counter-terrorism strategy,” he concluded.

CTED representative speaking at the Ministerial Conference in Windhoek.

Honourable Alpheus G !Naruseb, Namibian Minister of Works and Transport, told the audience that Africa has become one of the fastest growing air travel markets in the world, although the region also has persistent safety and security related deficiencies which affect African States.

“Aviation security and facilitation requirements are key enablers to a strong aviation industry. Our challenge is to implement ICAO standards and recommended practices to inspire confidence in our security oversight capability individually and collectively,” the Minister emphasised.

An appeal was also made by Mr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council, to the participants to step up efforts of their respective countries in terms of compliance.

The event was attended by African Ministers and senior Government officials on aviation security, as well as representatives from major partner States and international and regional organizations and agencies.

A set of documents, including a Ministerial declaration, targets, and a plan of action, was adopted. According to the concluding documents, all non-machine-readable passports are expected to be removed from circulation by the end of 2017, with API to have been introduced by all African States by the end of 2020.

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