UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Published purpose

This project aims to build capacities at selected international airports in the Middle East and Africa. It does so to detect and prevent high-risk passengers, including foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), and illicit commodities in origin, transit, and destination countries. Project activities include: (1) supporting inter-agency cooperation by establishing Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces or empowering existing structures; (2) providing essential Information technology equipment; (3) organizing workshops and mentoring activities focused on pre-arrival risk assessment and targeting of FTFs; (4) supporting participating beneficiary countries in the Airport Communication Project global meeting; and (5) training staff on using international law enforcement databases and communication networks to encourage real-time information transmissions aimed at intercepting FTFs. The database and networks include the International Criminal Police Organization’s (INTERPOL) I-24/7 and the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Customs Enforcement Network Communication Platform (CENcomm) This project primarily benefits law enforcement agencies operating at select airports in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Turkey. These agencies are responsible for immigration, counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, intelligence, security, and customs. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime implements this project in partnership with INTERPOL and the WCO.