a) Evidence of identity. Today we live in an interconnected world through mobile phones and the internet. Both technology and generational changes are likely to have an impact on how legal identity could be packaged and shared in the future. Already smartphones are capable of verifying physical identity using biometrics stored in interconnected central civil registry eco-systems. Automation allows for credible evidence of identity involving the tracing and verification of identity against breeder documents to ensure the authenticity of identity;
b) Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs). The future generation of travel documents will introduce the ability to add data to the electronic component of the passport after issuance, in order to load and read information such as biometric data or electronic visas and entry/exit stamps during its lifetime. This storage area, also known as logical data structure version 2.0 (LDS2) is to be standardized in the coming months, which will enhance the benefits of modern, integrated visa management and border management systems. It is a huge opportunity to expedite inspection while also enhancing security by enabling immigration officers to quicklyand efficiently check passengers’ visa and travel history by retrieving data from the chip;
c) Document issuance and control. The digitization of traditional paper-based processes is the new trend. Electronic visa travel systems, secure credentials on mobile phones and biometrics can simplify international travel as they eliminate the need to carry a physical passport or obtain paper-based visas. Appropriate authorities and or issuing authorities are moving towards centralized, thoroughly modernized systems for document issuance with an aim to better utilize the technologies that are available, including electronic verification of the passport and biometric identification capture, automation through borders via e-gates or kiosks, and eVisa application, issuance and usage to better manage the flow and tracking of the authorized holders, while ensuring that controls are in place to prevent theft, tampering and loss;
d) Inspection systems and tools. Inspection systems and tools for the efficient and secure reading and verification of MRTDs and eMRTDs, including use of the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) and increased implementation of the Automated Border Control (ABC) gates; and
e) Interoperable applications. Combining ePassport data, biometric recognition, PKD and the use of ABCs opens the possibility of automating partially or fully the passenger identification process through thetraveller’s journey. This is made possible thanks to globally interoperable applications and protocols that provide for timely, secure and reliable linkage of MRTDs and their holders to available and relevant data in the course of inspection operations. A special focus on passenger data exchange such as, advance passenger information (API) and passenger name record (PNR) and the need for cooperation and data sharing to ensure the integrity of passport issuance and border controls, demonstrated by the effective use of the INTERPOL Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database will be highlighted in the Symposium.
