HJP supports OSCE seminar in Tajikistan on ICAO public key directory

Effective e-Passport validation to prevent terrorists crossing borders

DUSHANBE - HJP delivered consultancy services to the OSCE-supported seminar focusing on the use of a technologically advanced passport verification system, the International Civil Aviation Organization’ Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD).

The two-day workshop was held in Dushanbe and concluded on March 2, 2016. Experts from migration and border agencies in Tajikistan attended the seminar in order to get acquainted with the multilateral technical platform enabling the effective validation of electronic security features stored in the biometric passport.

“55 of the 57 OSCE participating States issue e-Passports, however, only 24 are members of the PKD and Tajikistan is not part of them,” said Elizabeth Abela Hampel, Deputy Head of the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit. “Joining the ICAO PKD is a proactive approach in fighting international terrorism and preventing the cross-border movement of terrorists because it allows for a fast and effective multilateral validation that an ePassport is genuine.”

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department organized the event in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Since the adoption of the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision in 2009 on promoting the ICAO PKD, HJP experts supported similar workshops in Albania, Armenia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. “Tajikistan is issuing a high-quality e-passport. It is a great pleasure for us to assist Tajikistan in preparing to join the ICAO PKD,” said Markus Hartmann, Managing Director at HJP Consulting and PKD expert.

For more information, please contact us. To see the news on the OSCE website, please click here.