Systems and standards
UN Security Council resolution 2396 and African states
Short answer
- Adopted
- 21 December 2017 2
- Subject
- Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts 2
- Vote
- Unanimous, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter 1
- Co-sponsors
- 66, according to a 2018 paper to ICAO 7
- Related resolutions
- 2178 (2014) and 2482 (2019) 3
What the resolution says
Paragraph 11 notes the ICAO standard on API systems, which took effect on 23 October 2017 1.
| Paragraph | Topic | What States shall or should do |
|---|---|---|
| 10 1 | ICAO standards 1 | Work within ICAO to keep aviation security standards up to date 1 |
| 11 1 | API 1 | Require airlines operating in their territories to provide API to national authorities 1 |
| 12 1 | PNR 1 | Develop the capability to collect, process and analyse PNR data 1 |
| 13 1 | Watchlists 1 | Develop watchlists or databases of known and suspected terrorists 1 |
| 15 1 | Biometrics 1 | Develop and implement systems to collect biometric data 1 |
What African members said at adoption
Egypt's representative, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, said Egypt voted for the text as a country at the forefront of fighting terrorism. He said he would have preferred stronger language making it compulsory to share information on suspected terrorists with INTERPOL, and that implementation and assistance must follow 1.
The UN press release on the meeting does not record statements by other African members 1.
How the UN follows up
The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) joined the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme in 2019. By May 2020 it had led five deep-dive missions, in Ghana, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Togo 3.
In June and July 2020 CTED led virtual deep-dives in Cote d'Ivoire and Botswana on their capacity to put API and PNR systems in place. After each one, CTED and partners draw up a national roadmap 4.
The programme says it works with 91 Member States and offers legal drafting help, Passenger Information Unit set-up and the goTravel software at no charge 8.
Agreements with African states
- Botswana signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 18 October 2021 to license and deploy goTravel AIR. The UN said Botswana was among 49 beneficiary Member States at that time 5.
- The Gambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UN Headquarters on 6 September 2022, covering goTravel and API and PNR data. The UN said it was one of more than 51 beneficiary countries 6.
Biometrics at land borders
Paragraph 15 asks States to collect biometric data 1. At land borders, IOM's MIDAS system collects and stores traveller information, including biometric data, according to a 2017 IOM presentation 9. This page does not claim that any MIDAS deployment was made to meet resolution 2396.
Common questions
When was resolution 2396 adopted?
The UN Security Council lists S/RES/2396 (2017) as adopted on 21 December 2017 2.
Is resolution 2396 binding?
The text opens by acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and uses the word shall for API, PNR, watchlists and biometrics 1.
Which African states have had UN API and PNR assessments?
UN records name Ghana, Sudan and Togo by May 2020 3, and Cote d'Ivoire and Botswana in mid 2020 4.
Who pays for goTravel?
UNOCT says the software is deployed free of charge, with co-funding from donors including the EU and the Netherlands 8.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@africabordertechnology.com.
Sources
- United Nations: Security Council Urges Strengthening of Measures to Counter Threats Posed by Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Adopting Resolution 2396 (2017) (December 2017)
- United Nations Security Council: Resolutions adopted by the Security Council in 2017 (undated)
- UN Counter-Terrorism Committee: CTED and the UN Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (14 May 2020)
- UN Counter-Terrorism Committee: CTED leads two virtual deep-dive assessment missions to Cote d'Ivoire and Botswana (2020)
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism: Remarks of Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, E-Signing Ceremony for MoA on the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel Programme between the Republic of Botswana (18 October 2021)
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism: The Republic of The Gambia and UNOCT sign an agreement to strengthen co-operation in preventing and countering terrorist travel and serious crimes (6 September 2022)
- ICAO, paper presented by the United States: PNR Standard(s), HLCAS/2-WP/29 (9 November 2018)
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism: Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (undated)
- ID4Africa, Charles M. Harns, IOM Nigeria: Enhancing Security and Development in Africa (April 2017)
Related
- API and PNR in Africa
What Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data are, what UN resolutions require, and which African states have UN support records.
- What is border management technology?
Plain definitions of the systems African states use at borders: ePassports and the ICAO PKD, MIDAS, API and PNR, e-visas, ETAs and e-gates.
- IOM MIDAS in Africa
What IOM's MIDAS border management information system does, who owns the data, who funds it, and where IOM records show it in use in Africa.
- Ghana border technology
What public records show about Ghana's e-gates at Kotoka International Airport, the Ghana Card at the border and the Thales e-Immigration work.
- Egypt border technology
Egypt's Interior Ministry e-visa portal and fees, its ICAO PKD membership since 2019 and the Nafeza Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system, with sources.