The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD) is currently hosting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia Pacific Regional Seminar on Facilitation. The seminar opened today and runs until Friday at Two International Finance Center.

A key objective of the seminar is to provide a forum for delegates to share their experiences on the implementation of Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTD), with a view that all 188 ICAO members will have implemented an MRTD system by 2010, in accordance with ICAO specifications.

MRTD with biometric identifiers and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology will simplify the identification process of passengers' travel documents and enhance security at airports.

The seminar will also focus on the enhancement of RFID technology at airports.

More than 150 delegates from 18 countries including the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Republic of Korea, are participating in the seminar.

Representatives from ICAO, the International Air Transport Association, Airports Council International, Asia Pacific Smart Card Association and the aviation industry will also attend.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2005)