The 6th and final meeting of the Passenger Facilitation and Control Working Group (PFCWG) took place in a hybrid format on October 2 and 3, 2023, with 180 participants joining physically and virtually from across the globe. Observers from the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), United Nations Countering Terrorist Travel (UNCTT) Programme and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) also participated.

Initially established in 2020 with a term set to conclude in December 2023, the PFCWG has met twice yearly and held many smaller intersessional meetings to achieve its goals.

The work of the PFCWG has highlighted a need for Customs administrations and industry partners to meet regularly to address all traveller (passenger and crew) related work, global data standards and operations across all modes of transport such as aviation, cruise ships, ferries, railways, roads, and other non-commercial means of travel.

The PFCWG has developed and endorsed global data standards for each mode of travel and will work with industry partners on the application of this work into their particular travel mode as well as including the standards in the WCO Data Model Ap.

The popularity of international travel including more passengers and more diverse or broken itineraries, continues to bring potential vulnerabilities from a Customs perspective, especially in terms of border and security risks. Customs Administrations and other Border Control Agencies need to work with industry partners to increase security and facilitate travel and the PFCWG has provided a forum for this.

The final meeting ended with a round of applause in the room and online to congratulate participants both past and present for their hard work and dedication to completing a tremendous amount of work in a short period of time.

While the tenure of the PFCWG has come to an end, the WCO will continue to drive the important work derived from this group across other working bodies while seeking to a permanent home and forum to meet and address all traveller related work.