JAMAICA has officially joined the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) in what is being described by the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) as “a momentous development for travel security here”.

Acting CEO at PICA Garth Williams signed the document, making Jamaica the 93rd country to be incorporated into the global network designed to enhance the security of travel documents, including passports.

“By joining the PKD, Jamaica has taken a significant step forward in bolstering the international trust in its passport security,” PICA said in a news release.

The agency said that Williams was accompanied at the signing ceremony in July by Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada Marsha Coore Lobban who is also the island’s representative on the ICAO council.

According to PICA, the integration into the PKD is expected to bring numerous benefits, including but not limited to:

1) Enhanced border security.

2) Compliance with globally accepted standards for biometric passports.

3) Improved efficiency at border crossings.

4) Strengthened national security.

5) Increased protection against identity theft.

6) Global trust and improved reputation.

“This inclusion in the PKD represents a crucial step in Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of its travel documentation,” PICA said.