Photo: Jaromir Chalabala/ Shutterstock
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) are expanding their co-operation on international airmail security in response to a more challenging security environment.
The two organisations have issued a joint statement outlining a “shared vision” on how to ramp up their co-operation to align their respective security frameworks.
This cooperation promotes policies that encourage innovation in screening technologies, improved personnel training, and better information sharing between postal and aviation authorities.
“ICAO and UPU strongly recommend the adoption of cutting-edge technologies – such as advanced X-ray systems and explosive detection equipment – within postal and cargo operations to improve both security and operational efficiency,” the two said in a press release.
The two said they are committed to supporting their respective members and postal operators in adopting practical and risk-based measures, benefiting from enhanced information sharing, as well as enhanced visibility and transmission of data, to protect the integrity of the global mail and cargo supply chain.
“This partnership represents a unified, proactive approach to current and future challenges in air cargo and mail security,” said ICAO secretary general Juan Carlos Salazar. “A secure airmail system is a shared responsibility. This partnership ensures airmail services remain secure, resilient, and efficient.”
As part of the partnership, the two will consider reviewing and adapting ICAO and UPU documents to better reflect today’s risks, while also advocating for training for personnel involved in accepting, processing and screening mail.
They also call for enhanced visibility and transmission of data pertaining to the secure supply chain and implementation of additional security precautions during the acceptance of air cargo and mail and say that there should be appropriate oversight and compliance monitoring activities at international level through the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) and the UPU certification process, as well as at national level.
The two will also commit to enhancing awareness, delivering targeted capacity-building initiatives, as well as hosting joint events, including webinars, to support regulatory compliance and interagency cooperation, and to ensure resilience of the global postal supply chain.
The joint statement comes after the discovery of incendiary devices in DHL's European parcel network last year.
"The global security environment is becoming more challenging and complex," ICAO said. "Over the last 12 months, the global threat picture has evolved considerably, as we have seen sophisticated actors seeking to sabotage the air cargo and mail supply chains using improvised incendiary devices (IIDs), in addition to the longstanding risk posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs)."
Following the incidents, stricter security requirements for air cargo were rushed through by the US, Canada and Australia, amongst other countries, that applied to cargo originating in European and CIS countries.
IATA later called for international cooperation when developing future security requirements following the introduction of what it labelled "disjointed" security measures.
