Mozambique has joined the international electronic system for verifying biometric passports after receiving, on 24 April in Montreal, Canada, the Certificate of Membership to the Public Key Directory (PKD) — an international database used to verify the authenticity and integrity of passports — from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The mechanism strengthens the security, authenticity, and reliability of travel documents issued by the country.
According to the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM), the information was announced by the spokesperson of the National Migration Service, Juca Bata, during a press conference held on Friday in Maputo.
On the occasion, the official stressed that “with this accession, Mozambique becomes part of the group of states that use the highest international standards of document security,” adding that the country is now “the 109th of the 193 member states of this global biometric passport verification mechanism.”
According to Bata, integration into the system represents a significant step forward in the modernisation of migration services, enabling “secure and efficient verification of the authenticity of Mozambican passports at an international level.”
The spokesperson further highlighted that the new mechanism enhances international trust in locally issued documents, facilitates citizen mobility, and strengthens the fight against illicit activities.
“It also contributes to reinforcing the trust of international partners, facilitating the mobility of citizens, and combating illicit practices such as document forgery, human trafficking, and other forms of transnational crime,” he said.
The National Migration Service also reiterated its institutional commitment to implementing ICAO-recommended standards and practices, aiming to consolidate a more modern, secure migration system aligned with international standards.
Source: Diário Económico
