13th ATCM-WP/10

13th MEETING OF THE AFCAC AIR TRANSPORT COMMITTEE

(Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 25-26 May 2015)

Agenda Item 5:

Aviation Security
(Presented by the Secretariat)
SUMMARY

This Paper highlights the importance of attending the ICAO AVSEC Panel Meetings and urges
the AFI member States to ensure the attendance of their Experts/Officials at these meetings
and their States participation in the different ICAO Working Groups on Aviation Security.
1.

INTRODUCTION

1.1.

The AFCAC Aviation Security (AVSEC) Working Group meeting preparatory to the 26 thICAO
AVSEC Panel Meeting was held at the Headquarters of the African Civil Aviation Commission
in Dakar, Senegal from 19 - 20 March, 2015 in order to review the AVSEC Working Papers
developed by the AFCAC Secretariat and its Experts on behalf of African States. The Papers
were presented to the 26thICAO AVSEC Panel meeting which was held in Montreal from 13 17 April, 2015.

1.2.

It is important to note that at the twenty-third meeting of its 117th Session, the Council of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took the decision to establish the Aviation
Security (AVSEC) Panel. Furthermore, at the fourth meeting of its 118th Session, the Council
agreed to the Terms of Reference and initial Work Programme of the Panel and instructed the
Secretary General to issue an invitation for nominations to the Panel

1.3.

The meeting is also invited to note that the AVSEC Panel is responsible for developing
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and procedures for the purpose of
safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference while giving due consideration
to economic, operational and other impacts of SARPs.

1.4.

The Panel also assists the Secretariat in the development and review of procedures, guidance
material and technical requirements related to aviation security and the Organizations security
audits, as appropriate.

1.5.

The AVSEC Panel has established different Working Groups to support its mandate and these
Working Groups carry out their programmes of activities intersessionally, and meet as
necessary. The scope and complexity of the matters addressed by AVSEC Panel Working
Groups require that the Panel be of sufficient size as to provide a pool of talented personnel.

1.6.

The meeting may wish to note that the AFCAC AVSEC Working Group (AVSEC-WG) was
inaugurated on 19 March 2015 in accordance with the decision of the 12th meeting of the
AFCAC Air Transport Committee. The AVSEC-WG will subsequently meet at least twice on a
yearly basis and like the other AFCAC Working Groups, act as a think-tank to AFCAC in the
relevant discipline of Aviation Security so that AFCAC will be technically advised and equipped
to keep abreast of progress in this field in order to take decisions in a proactive manner.

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2.

THE WORKING PAPERS

2.1.

AFCAC with the help of its Experts presented three draft Working Papers to the AVSEC-WG
which were thoroughly reviewed and improved upon for presentation at the ICAO AVSEC Panel
Meeting of 13 17 April 2015 as follows:

2.1.1.

On-entry Screening to the Terminal Building as a Means of Mitigating Acts of

Unlawful Interference
The AVSEC-WG supported the conclusions of the Paper, which urged that Recommended
Practice 4.8.1 of ICAO Annex 17, be upgraded into a Standard, to supplement the available
security systems, and enhance the guidance material for screening at the terminal building,
to counter current global terrorist groups likely to pose threats at airport terminal buildings
and facilities, taking cognizance of new developments in Global AVSEC Risk Context
Statement. (RCS)

2.1.2.

Guidance Material for the Utilization of K-9 Screening Method

The AVSEC-WG considered the Paper which is being proposed for inclusion in ICAO Doc.
8973. The WG deliberated on and supported the conclusions of the Paper which urged ICAO
to adequately cover the use of K-9 in relevant guidance materials especially for passenger
terminal usage, more so that there is already wide usage of this method in Cargo screening.

2.1.3.

Implementation Support and Development-Security (ISD-SEC) Programme

(Risk Management Assistance to Africa).
The AVSEC-WG deliberated on and supported the conclusions of the Paper which urged
ICAO ISD to promote Risk Management globally and provide assistance in capacity building
as well as additional Workshops tailored to the needs of States with limited resources for
training.

3.

THE OUTCOME OF THE ICAO AVSEC PANEL MEETING

3.1.

The ICAO AVSEC Panel considered the need for the development of guidance material in
the areas of covert testing, the use of canines for screening purposes and landside
security. With regard to canines and landside security, the Panel was of the view that both
areas deserved careful consideration and recommended that they also be included in the
work programmes of the Working Groups on Technology (WGTech) and Annex 17
(WGA17), respectively.

3.2.

The Panel concluded that the WGA17 should explore matters surrounding landside
security and consider strengthening Annex 17 provisions, including raising the
Recommended Practices 4.8.1 and 4.8.2 to Standards.

3.3.

The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) presented AVSECP/26-WP/42 on the

prevailing threats in the African Region and the need for risk management capacitybuilding and workshops tailored to the Region. The AVSEC Panel voiced support for an
enhanced focus on risk management in Africa, and urged States and Organizations with
experience and success in implementing risk management methodologies to share that
experience with States in need.

3.4.

The Panel concluded that there is a need for additional risk management assistance in the
African Region.

13th ATCM-WP/10
3.5.

Two of AFCACs WPs were referred to the Panels Working Groups. It is therefore,
important that Africa has representation in these Working Groups so as to own and
spearhead our Working Papers. The AVSEC Panel Working Group membership is open to
members of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) Panel as well as advisors and observers to the
AVSEC Panel.

3.6.

The different Working Groups are listed below, in which Panel members, observers and
advisors from all regions are encouraged to participate so as to ensure that as much as it
is practicable, there is widespread regional representation.

Working Group on Annex 17 (WGA17)

Working Group on Guidance Material (WGGM)
Working Group on Threat and Risk (WGTR)
Working Group on Technology (WGTech)
Working Group on Training (WGT)
Working Group on Air Cargo Security (WGACS)
Joint Working Group on Advance Cargo Information (JWGACI)

4.

RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1.

The meeting is invited to:

i.

Note the imperative of attendance of AFI member States at ICAO AVSEC Panel meetings

ii.

Note the need for AFI member States to participate in the different ICAO Working Groups
on Aviation Security.