ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD)
In 2021, five ICAO Member States joined the Public Key Directory (PKD), bringing the total number of participants to 80. Growth in participation coincided with improved usage of the system by participants: 65 per cent of participants uploaded data onto the system compared to 61 per cent in December 2020. The ICAO Master List also expanded by 13 per cent. Service availability was at 100 per cent throughout the period, while data quality and integrity were ensured through continuous rigorous checks and application of necessary security measures.
In March 2021, following approval by the PKD Board, ICAO and the PKD operator extended their contract by five years to ensure the continuity of operations and continued use of the system’s fee structure, which includes a decrease in participation fees as more States join the PKD.
ICAO’s first Standard related to the PKD was introduced as part of Amendment 28 to Annex 9 ―
Facilitation, which became effective on 28 February 2021. The Standard requires States participating in the PKD to upload all public key data necessary for the authentication of electronic passports, with a view to making the PKD more useful and beneficial for all.
The PKD Board and ICAO’s Committee on Cooperation with External Parties (CCEP) approved a pilot project to authorize private sector entities across the travel continuum to use data obtained from the PKD in their operations. The pilot project, which was launched in December 2021, reflects the increasing involvement of private sector entities in public-private partnerships, as well as the need to ensure that such entities can properly verify electronic machine readable travel documents (eMRTDs). The project also encourages private sector parties to provide immediate solutions to States to address unanticipated challenges during uncertain times.
Despite limitations associated with COVID-19, a number of other achievements related to the PKD were made throughout 2021, including: the Secretariat’s implementation of a PKD strategic outreach and communications programme; the introduction of the ICAO Master List at the 16th ICAO Traveller Identification Programme Symposium (25–27 May 2021); and the delivery of PKD workshops and presentations at various international virtual events. In addition, the PKD Board selected Mongolia as the first country to participate in the Data Quality Coach programme, which was approved by the Board in 2020 to help States connect to and use the PKD. Coaching activities began in December 2021.
