IOM - CIS Workshop on Migration and Biometrics, 30-31 August 2005

On 30-31 August 2005, a workshop was held on the use of biometrics to address key migration challenges in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Minsk, Belarus. The workshop was co-organized by IOM and the Belarus Ministry of Internal Affairs and initiated upon a request by the CIS Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs of which Belarus is currently chair.

Irregular migration is a defining characteristic of migration in the CIS. According to some estimates, up to 10 million irregular migrants could be spread throughout the region. An IOM report this year estimated there are 1.7 million migrants in Russia alone from Central Asia with Russia also being a transit country for irregular migration into the European Union.

Biometric indicators, the measurable biological characteristics that make up a person’s unique biological identity such as facial images, fingerprints, and iris scans, are increasingly used to make traveller inspection more efficient and effective and promote normal cross-border movements.

Senior technical officers from the CIS states as well as international and regional biometrics experts participated in the Minsk workshop. With technology in the field of biometrics changing so fast, the workshop provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences on biometric applications, define best practices in the CIS context, enhance complementarity of biometric initiatives, and engage in joint planning.