Khaled Al Hameidi
Doha
On the second day of the ICAO Facilitation Conference 2025, held in Doha, international experts called for an accelerated transition toward digital border security and the adoption of standardized humanitarian travel solutions. The day’s sessions featured compelling statements from leading authorities in identity verification, standardization, and international migration, alongside discussions tackling human trafficking, victim assistance, and state capacity building.
In an exclusive statement to Qatar Tribune, Cor de Jonge, chairperson of the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) Board and Team Lead for the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) at the Ministry of Justice and Security in the Netherlands, emphasized that “border security today begins with trusted digital keys.”
“Enhancing the security of travel documents can only be achieved by adopting a comprehensive digital infrastructure,” said de Jonge. “The use of digital verification tools based on PKI systems boosts trust in digital identity and increases efficiency at border control points. This is no longer optional—it’s an international imperative.”
Uwe Seidel, head of Department for IT Forensics and Document Examination at the German Federal Criminal Police Office and Chair of the New Technologies Working Group (NTWG) under ICAO’s TAG/TRIP programme, also spoke to Qatar Tribune on the urgent need for harmonized technological frameworks.
“Travel document security is no longer a purely technical matter—it’s a matter of national and international security,” Seidel explained. “Integrating biometric solutions with digital verification tools within traditional systems is critical. Through the work of the NTWG, we are developing forward-thinking recommendations that help States modernize their identity verification infrastructures while aligning with ICAO global standards.”
Joining the digital transformation narrative, R Rajeshkumar, ISO liaison officer to ICAO, stressed the significance of global standardization. He told Qatar Tribune that collaboration between ICAO and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is vital to future-proofing travel document systems.
“When ICAO’s Doc 9303 aligns with ISO’s technical standards, we create a unified global ecosystem that enables seamless document verification across borders,” Rajeshkumar said. “This integration enhances automation and empowers national authorities to develop more innovative and secure travel identity solutions.”
The second day of the conference also saw high-level participation from United Nations agencies, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). These organizations emphasized the role of civil aviation in supporting vulnerable populations—particularly refugees, stateless persons, and those affected by conflict or forced displacement.
Discussions called for flexible international travel policies that uphold human dignity, alongside agile coordination between States, border agencies, and humanitarian bodies to facilitate safe and secure mobility for all. The conference’s agenda offered a robust intersection of technical, legal, and humanitarian priorities. From biometric verification to protection of displaced populations and counter-trafficking protocols, the day’s sessions painted a comprehensive picture of the global facilitation landscape—and the urgent need to modernize it.
This session titled “Travel Document Integrity and Border Control” focused on the implementation of Machine-Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) and electronic MRTDs (eMRTDs), guided by ICAO’s Document 9303. Experts discussed border congestion, data authenticity, and fraud prevention, emphasizing biometric verification as a cornerstone of modern border systems. Case studies highlighted successful deployments of PKI-based solutions to streamline passenger identification and improve processing speeds at airports.
Speakers included Uwe Seidel (Germany), Cor de Jonge (Netherlands), and R. Rajeshkumar (ISO/ICAO).
This pivotal session “Addressing Inadmissible Persons, Deportees, Refugees and Stateless Persons” spotlighted the systemic challenges faced by persons unable to access travel documents, including refugees and the stateless. Maria Cristina Liliana Ioniţă, Representative of Romania on the ICAO Council, reiterated the need for States to provide MRTDs in line with ICAO standards for humanitarian categories. IOM and UNHCR representatives shared field data and stressed the moral and legal imperative for international alignment.
Speakers included Ionita (Romania), Nelson Goncalves (IOM), Ahmed Mohsen (UNHCR Qatar), Saad Salem Al-Dosari (Qatar Ministry of Interior), Essame Patrice (Cameroon), and Linda Ristagno (IATA).
Session 7 was themed “Addressing Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration.”
In a sobering dialogue, this session tackled the need for integrated reporting protocols and trained personnel to detect and respond to human trafficking in the air travel sector. Simona Ardovino of the European Commission emphasized proactive airport surveillance and cross-border cooperation, while other speakers highlighted regional challenges in Africa and the Americas.
Speakers included Ardovino (European Commission), Sabelo Mbokazi (African Union), Bhaskar Mishra (UNICEF), and Luis Benavides (UN Security Council – Haiti).
On the eighth session “Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and Their Families,” it provided an emotional yet technical overview of national legislation and airline practices for post-accident response. Experts advocated for institutionalized support systems that include psychological counselling, logistical assistance, and insurance engagement. Pilar Vera Palmés, President of the International Federation of Air Crash Victims’ Families (ACVFFI), called for global standardization in victim support protocols.
Other speakers included David Benito Astudillo (Spain), Aysha Al Hamili (UAE), Albert Urdiroz (Airbus), and Amdye Fanta (Ethiopia).
Session 9 titled “Capacity Building and Implementation Support for States,”underscored ICAO’s commitment to supporting States in implementing Annex 9 provisions. Jorge Vargas, Director of Capacity Development and Implementation at ICAO, led discussions on technical assistance, compliance audits, and the importance of regional partnerships. State representatives from Bolivia, New Zealand, Uganda, the UAE, and Ghana shared success stories in building national aviation facilitation capacity.
Speakers included Vargas (ICAO), Celier Aparicio Arispe Rosas (Bolivia), Dion Chamberlain (New Zealand), Wafa Abdulla Al Obaidli (UAE), Olive Lumonya (Uganda), and Anita Adjei Nmashie (Ghana).
The prevailing theme across all sessions was clear: States must act swiftly to update outdated systems, adopt standardized technologies, and work collaboratively to ensure security, dignity, and efficiency in global air travel. The Doha-hosted conference reaffirmed the value of ICAO as a convening power, bridging the technical with the humanitarian in pursuit of a more connected and equitable world.
As the ICAO Facilitation Conference 2025 continues, attention turns to new technologies, data-sharing models, and multilateral efforts that will define the future of travel facilitation. For Qatar, the host nation, the event has also cemented its growing role as a hub for dialogue, aviation innovation, and international cooperation.
