Addis Ababa, June 25, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia has officially received its membership certificate for the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD), a critical global system facilitating secure and efficient international travel.
The certificate was presented during a high-level ceremony at ICAO’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
The recognition was received by Ms. Salamat Dawit, Director General of Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS), in the presence of ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, Canada’s Deputy Minister of Transport Nicholas Robson, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Canada, the Director General of Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Administration (INSA), and senior representatives from ICAO member states.
Ethiopia becomes one of 105 member nations participating in the ICAO PKD, a global infrastructure that enables the secure verification of electronic passports and other biometric travel documents.
This milestone enhances both Ethiopia’s border security and the global mobility of Ethiopian passport holders, allowing for smoother entry into member countries while bolstering efforts to detect and deter the use of forged documents, ICS told Fana Media Corporation.
To mark Ethiopia’s official accession, a dedicated forum was organized in Montreal, showcasing the country’s growing capabilities in aviation, immigration, tourism, and investment.
Attended by ICAO member state representatives, ICAO leadership, and global stakeholders, the event featured detailed presentations on Ethiopia’s integrated border management systems and its strategic positioning in global air transport.
In her remarks, Ms. Salamat Dawit emphasized that joining the ICAO PKD system is not only a leap forward for modernizing Ethiopia’s immigration and passport services but also a strategic move to safeguard national and international security. “Our commitment to digital transformation in immigration is aligned with global standards and underlines Ethiopia’s dedication to collective international security,” she stated.
Canada’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Nicholas Robson, praised Ethiopia’s decision to join the PKD, highlighting the global significance of the move, particularly for a country that operates one of Africa’s largest and most far-reaching airlines. “Ethiopia’s accession will further enhance the credibility and effectiveness of its aviation and border management operations,” he noted.
ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano welcomed Ethiopia into the PKD community, expressing confidence in the country’s role as a key partner in promoting secure and seamless international travel.
He reaffirmed ICAO’s ongoing support for Ethiopia’s aviation and border security advancements.