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11 September 2024

IOM Partners with Academia on Enhancing Document Security and Regular Pathways

Participants in an IOM-organized workshop on “Document Security and Fraud Detection at Border Crossings” in collaboration with Naif University of Security Sciences (NAUSS) and Metropolitan College in Greece.

Athens, 11 September – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is working with two academic institutions to promote exchange of expertise and facilitate regular migration pathways in the Arab region.  

Yesterday IOM’s Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, Othman Belbeisi, opened a workshop on document security and fraud detection at border crossings in Athens, partnering with Naif University of Security Sciences (based in Saudi Arabia) and Greece’s Metropolitan College. 

The three-day event focuses on finding a comprehensive approach to legal identity that will allow state authorities to better regulate migration, governing the security and humanitarian needs at borders while facilitating protection and services to those in need. 

“The combined regional progress in the field of document security will enable countries to successfully contribute to their national activities related to migration and security,” said Mr. Belbeisi. “IOM is committed to supporting these national and regional efforts to manage migration.” 

The workshop aims at providing a standardized understanding of legal and technical terms used in document security and fraud detection, determining best practices in document security, forgery and fraud detection, and the necessary expertise to enhance border management according to global standards.   

Regional Director Othman Belbeisi and Dr. Khalid Al Harfash, Vice President for External Relations at NAUSS, exchanged gifts, with Mr Belbeisi presenting Dr. Al Harfash with the first copy of the Passport Examinations Procedures Manual 3.0 in Arabic - a flagship initiative by IOM, now translated into Arabic with the support of NAUSS.
Regional Director Othman Belbeisi and Dr. Khalid Al Harfash, Vice President for External Relations at NAUSS, exchanged gifts, with Mr Belbeisi presenting Dr. Al Harfash with the first copy of the Passport Examinations Procedures Manual 3.0 in Arabic - a flagship initiative by IOM, now translated into Arabic with the support of NAUSS. 

The participants included specialists and decision-makers from across the Arab region in the field of legal identity management, border management education and training, as well as authorities at land, air and maritime borders who play a role in border and migration management. 

They explored the latest technological innovations, including responsible use of biometric technologies and artificial intelligence techniques in document security. Furthermore, they discussed the human rights that underpin identity documentation, the implementation of privacy, and responsible use of document security techniques.  

“IOM commends the efforts of Arab countries to strengthen cooperation mechanisms and joint capacity-building efforts. This event is an excellent example of the ongoing coordination mechanisms established within the framework of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers,” added Belbeisi.  

In recent years, a sharp increase in irregular migration has been recorded between the Arab region and southern European nations, Greece being one of the main countries of arrival. 

This event is organized in the framework of the joint NAUSS-IOM Centre for Technical Cooperation on Border and Migration Management launched in 2022 in Riyadh.  

For more information, please contact Joe Lowry at jlowry@iom.int