PH joins symposium on safe, seamless travel
At A Glance
- Over a thousand attendees from over 30 countries and jurisdictions joined this year's Symposium and Exhibition on the ICAO Traveller Identification Programme (TRIP) and Joint International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Biometrics Forum in Montreal, Canada, from Sept. 12-14, 2023.
Several government officials from different agencies have represented the Philippines in a symposium to enhance policies and practices on traveler identification and border control and thus ensure safe and seamless travel, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

In a statement, the PCO said over a thousand attendees from over 30 countries and jurisdictions joined this year's Symposium and Exhibition on the ICAO Traveller Identification Programme (TRIP) and Joint International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Biometrics Forum in Montreal, Canada, from Sept. 12-14, 2023.
Officials and staff from the PCO, the Philippine Embassy in Canada, the APO Production Unit, Inc., and the Bureau of Immigration represented the Philippines in the said event.
According to the PCO, the two-part symposium tackled technological developments, enhanced policies, and best practices on traveler identification and border control to ensure safe and seamless travel.
The TRIP Symposium became a platform that allowed attendees to exchange information on all aspects of traveler identification management.
"It highlighted the need to enhance international cooperation and collaboration to improve traveler's experience while addressing the multiple threats faced by international civil aviation," the PCO said.
Among the topics discussed in the symposium were:
- Biometrics technology
- Machine-readable travel documents
- Document issuance and control
- Inspection systems and tools
- Interoperable applications
- Capacity-building and assistance to states
Meanwhile, the ICAO/INTERPOL Joint Biometrics Forum provided insights on best practices, specifications, and technical mechanisms that allow a successful application and use of biometrics.
The PCO said the forum also highlighted INTERPOL’s role in counterterrorism.