- 05 December 2025
Yerevan, Armenia 19-21 November 2025 - The Government of Armenia completed the Passenger Data Seminar of the United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel (CT Travel) Programme organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) with the support of the United Kingdom Development Fund.
The three-day seminar introduced Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems that contribute towards an enhanced national capacity to identify, detect, and intercept foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and other serious criminals and facilitate regular pathways for bona-fide travelers.
UNOCT, in partnership with IOM in Armenia, facilitated the seminar to identify specific capacity-building support and technical assistance needs based on the national counter-terrorism architecture and priorities and the assessment Armenia’s existing level of API and PNR implementation at the legal, operational, and technical levels.
Over 33 representatives from ten agencies from the Government of Armenia’s national agencies responsible for border management and passenger processing participated in the seminar. These included the National Security Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Revenue Committee, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Ministry of High-Tech Industry, Office of the Human Rights Defender, Security Council Office, Central Bank, Information Systems Agency, as well as representatives of local and international airlines. Participants mapped existing national border management capabilities and discussed next steps to establish a national system to collect and process passenger data, in accordance with international standards, recommended practices and human rights principles.
The representative of the UNOCT CT Travel Programme underlined the importance of the discussions, stressing that, "Terrorism and organized trans-national crime continue to undermine international peace and security, interrupt sustainable development and affect human rights. These complex global challenges require concerted universal efforts to address and hence enjoin all nations to cooperate and collaborate."
During the seminar, Mr. Henrik Yeritsyan, Head of Division of Transnational Threats of the Department of International Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, welcomed the partnership." This seminar is a key milestone in our joint efforts to strengthen Armenia’s border security and crime prevention capabilities through the introduction of Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems. These tools are essential for improving risk assessment, facilitating secure and efficient travel, and aligning Armenia with international standards, including those set by ICAO and the European Union,” he said.
As a next step, the CT Travel Programme will work with national partners to provide technical assistance to enhance Armenia’s legal framework, operational capabilities, support with transport industry engagement, and technical infrastructure including the planned deployment of the United Nations’ – owned ‘goTravel’ software solution. This full support will empower Armenia to further enhance its national security, comply with international counter-terrorism obligations, and modernize its immigration and border management processes. Within the framework of the CT Travel Programme, UNOCT and IOM are working together to develop and strengthen Member States’ API and PNR capabilities.
