ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Aviation Security and Information Sharing

Fifty-seven aviation security practitioners from ARF member countries attended a two-day Workshop on Aviation Security and Information sharing in Kuala Lumpur from 10 to 11 July 2019. The workshop was co-chaired by Malaysia and the United States (US).

            The workshop kick-started with a lecture on Foreign Terrorist (FTF) travel patterns and aviation incidents. The sessions were mainly filled with discussions on the challenges of implementing Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Records (PNR). Experts also shared the best practices of good watch listing, suspicious traveler encounter management and managing insider threat. Several sessions explored promoting a culture of security awareness among aviation industry stakeholders, as well as the importance of information sharing and having effective landside security.

            Speakers from Australia, Bangladesh, Germany, Philippines, Singapore, Timor Leste, USA and Malaysia shared insight on the topics discussed. Experts from the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) gave technical advice to the participants.

            In the final session of the workshop, participants were divided into four groups and exchanged opinions on the proposed draft principles on aviation security and information sharing, currently under consideration by ARF member states, as well as provide recommendations on areas of focus for the next workshop. The program concluded with group presentations, and the co-chairs took note of the recommendations made by participants.