Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - aviation security

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 United Nations 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 United Nations, 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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UN CTED attends ICAO’s first Aviation security symposium

BMUSONI — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 16:03:00 +0000

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From 12 to 14 September 2017, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) hosted a first ICAO Aviation security (AVSEC) symposium. Held at ICAO headquarters in Montreal, the three-day gathering promoted the work of ICAO, its Member States, and stakeholders in the area of aviation security. The symposium brought together AVSEC professionals from around the world to enhance international cooperation to address the threat posed by terrorists targeting civil aviation, by reinforcing, strengthening, and promoting the international framework of aviation security standards.

In her opening address, ICAO Secretary-General Dr. Fang Liu highlighted two key issues – the United Nations Security Council resolution 2309 (2016), and the new ICAO Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP), each of which seeks to reduce the likelihood of an act of unlawful interference with civil aviation.

Resolution 2309 was unanimously adopted last September and spotlights terrorists’ continued attraction to aviation targets. It emphasizes the global interconnectedness, the need for international cooperation to address air transport security challenges, and the importance of information sharing, especially through Advance Passenger Information (API).

Dr. Liu underlined that resolution 2309 further highlights a number of steps which should be prioritized by ICAO’s Member States in order to strengthen their implementation of security-related Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), including forging better coordination among their related domestic departments and agencies. She also emphasized collaboration with UN entities, including the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Dr. Liu attended the special meeting of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee and ICAO in July 2017 on Terrorist threats to civil aviation.

Mr. Jean-Philippe Morange, Senior Legal Officer with CTED, delivered a keynote speech at the symposium, focusing on the importance of understanding aviation security risks for the development and implementation of appropriate and effective policies and risk mitigation measures. Mr. Morange emphasized the critical role of ICAO in the evaluation of States’ implementation efforts regarding aviation security, ensured by ICAO’s participation in country visits conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee. CTED and ICAO are working together closely, and will further strengthen this collaboration, which also responds to the provisions of resolution 2309 on strengthening inter-agency cooperation, concluded Mr. Morange.

The keynote speech delivered by Jean-Philippe Morange is available here.

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