In the area of facilitation for cross border travel, ICAO is traditionally focused on supporting the definition of travel documents through specifications and standards.
Ciarán Carolan, Programme Manager, at ICAO represented their mission for setting recommended practices for aviation at Identity Week America 2025. ICAO is the International United Nations body.
In a sit-down interview, Carolan spoke about ensuring global interoperability of documents, processes and legal frameworks so that “no matter where anybody travels in the world, from one country to another.. things work together in an interoperable manner”.
A key theme right now is “innovation transformation, particularly using technology and digital transformation of travel”, says Carolan. Integrating emerging technologies and digital processes, for example with the DTC, Digital Travel Credential, is a global theme everywhere, which will secure the future of travel into the next few decades. Travel is being optimised for a new era that satisfies higher customer demands for experience and safety; ultimately movements such as the DTC, which will drive the digital transformation of the passport, are being taken “to heart” in ICAO.
ICAO is also “strongly active in capacity building” and supporting states to implement such technology initiatives. “Centralised infrastructural support to states is a key theme” of ICAO. So, moreover, Carolan is personally responsible for the ICAO Public Key Directory, which typifies all of these themes.
“It’s focused on digital transformation of travel, supporting the verification of electronic travel documents and digital travel credentials through sharing of information between governments”.
“We support states to verify documents, use the PKD to help now with electronic passports and in the future with the digital travel credential and infrastructure support”.
“The PKD and the central infrastructure to help states cooperate and work together to advance through technology”. With previous experience working with EU LISA, this interview also discusses the differences in the overall framework of operations and common themes of digitalisation between the two entities.
Carolan’s leadership in the PKD working group has been pivotal in developing initiatives such as the Health Master List and the Digital Travel Credential, which enhance the efficiency and security of international travel. At Identity Week Europe 2026 and Identity Week America 2026, DTCs and other verifiable credentials are at the forefront of the agenda with experts from ICAO, international airports, industry, and government partners discussing cross-border interoperability, wallet adoption, and balancing friction and risk in the age of seamless travel and seamless customer journeys.
