Turkmenistan Delegation Participates in ICAO Forum on Digital Passports in the Seychelles
A delegation from the State Migration Service of Turkmenistan participated in the 33rd meeting of the Public Key Directory (PKD) Board of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and an accompanying global workshop, held in Victoria (Republic of Seychelles) from October 20–22.
The forum, hosted at the Eden Blue Hotel, brought together approximately 100 international experts in the fields of passport security, aviation, and border control. Key topics included the global transition from paper-based documents to Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) that can be stored on smartphones, the implementation of master lists for the instant authentication of electronic passports (ePassports), and the modernization of technical systems for border verification.
Representatives from the Turkmen agency reviewed the updated ICAO PKD platform, which was launched in March 2026 as part of preparations for a large-scale program scheduled for 2027. Turkmenistan’s participation in the Public Key Directory ensures a high level of security for its national biometric documents, facilitates their seamless international recognition, and accelerates the adoption of digital border control technologies. Following the forum, an updated ICAO strategic plan for the development of border security and the digitalization of travel documents was approved.
On March 27, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launched a new-generation Public Key Directory (PKD) system designed for use in cross-border travel. The ICAO PKD is a secure international database that helps border authorities, airlines, and other trusted entities verify the authenticity of electronic passports and digital travel documents. It serves as a centralized platform where states can exchange digital security certificates—known as "public keys"—which are used to confirm that a presented document was issued by the appropriate government authority.
The system is intended to assist states in fulfilling their legal obligations to process passengers efficiently and accurately, while also enabling industry stakeholders to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted travel experience. Airports and airlines will be able to verify documents remotely using smartphones and gain advance access to verified biometric data.
