Around the world, there are many counter-terrorism operations going on to provide security and to proliferate peace. Some of these operations are not only limited to governments but include representatives of the private sector. Among one of these, there is International Air Transport Association (IATA) which has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on September 24, 2020 to strengthen the cooperation with the United Nations (UN) Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (CT Travel Programme).
- IATA will join the CT Travel Programme as the first non-government partner of the initiative by providing advance passenger information (API) and passenger name record (PNR) traveler data to governments to curb terrorist mobility.
- The MoU was inked by UNOCT Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov and Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac during a virtual ceremony.
What is CT Travel Programme?
Launched in 2019, this programme aims to improve the tracking of suspected terrorists, using state-of-the-art software by helping member countries in enhancing the detection of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and serious criminals, through the collection, identification, and analysis of their passenger data by using API, PNR, and other passenger data, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), and 2482 (2019) and relevant privacy laws.
- It is to be noted that this programme is co-funded by India, the Netherlands, European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA), Australia, and Japan.
Recent Related News:
i.United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is annually observed on 21st August to commemorate and pay tribute to the victims and survivors of Terrorism across the globe.
ii.National Anti Terrorism Day is observed every year on May 21 in order to raise awareness amongst people that terrorism has no religion, also to spread the message of peace, harmony, and brotherhood. The day commemorates the death anniversary of former India’s youngest Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi. He served the nation from 1984 to 1989.
About International Air Transport Association (IATA):
It is a trade association of the world’s airlines representing some 290 airlines or 82% of total air traffic.
Headquarter– Montreal, Canada
Headquarter (India)– Mumbai, Maharashtra
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary General– Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres
Headquarter– New York, United States
