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AVIATION SECURITY
(AVSEC) BRANCH
ICAO’s work in the field of aviation security (AVSEC)
is the responsibility of the AVSEC Branch of the Air Transport
Bureau (ATB), and is comprised of three inter-related activities:
policy development; security audits; and support to States
in resolving security deficiencies. These activities are carried
out by dedicated Sections within the Branch, and are closely
coordinated to ensure their effectiveness.
Policy activities involve the development and timely revision
of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for international
aviation security and air transport facilitation. The security
and facilitation SARPs appear in technical annexes to the
Chicago Convention, primarily Annex 17 (Security) and Annex
9 (Facilitation). Associated guidance material designed to
assist States in implementing these SARPs is also developed
and regularly updated. ICAO also ensures the development of
technical specifications for machine readable passports, visas
and official travel documents. Policy matters are handled
by the Aviation Security and Facilitation Policy (SFP) Section.
Security audits are conducted under the Universal Security
Audit Programme (USAP) and currently focus on the capacity
of Member States to oversee aviation security activities under
their jurisdiction. The audits serve to highlight aviation
security deficiencies in Member States and lead to corrective
action plans based on audit findings. USAP is administered
by the Aviation Security Audit (ASA) Section.
Support in the form of training activities and direct assistance
is provided to States to help implement international security
provisions and rectify deficiencies identified by ICAO audits.
These activities are carried out by the Implementation Support
and Development (ISD) Section – Security.
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