On 1 March 2024, Cape Verde hosted a high-level Monitoring Mission and National Steering Committee Meeting, underscoring its commitment to strengthening the GIFP through the COLIBRI project. The event included bilateral meetings with key national entities, highlighting a coordinated effort to enhance general aviation (GA) security. The Director General of Cape Verdean Customs expressed robust support for the COLIBRI project, emphasising a desire to increase cooperation and implement more comprehensive controls.
Bilateral meetings with the National Civil Aviation Authority further solidified this commitment. The strategy for phase II of the COLIBRI project was presented, receiving full endorsement from the Executive Director. The discussions centred on overcoming challenges and ensuring the efficient sharing of relevant information with national partners to bolster control measures. High-level representatives from the National Police, Judiciary Police, Customs, and Civil Aviation participated in the National Steering Committee, pledging their cooperation within the WCO EU COLIBRI Project framework.
The meeting with the regional Coordinator addressed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation and the implementation of the National Action Plan, initially presented during the Regional Focal Point meeting in Abidjan in February 2024. The WCO COLIBRI coordinator provided an overview of the second phase of the project, emphasising the critical role of the Geoportal in control activities. A dedicated presentation on the Geoportal was delivered at the request of the customs DG, raising awareness among national authorities about the GA threat and informing them about the COLIBRI II project’s approach and challenges.
Key outcomes of the meeting included enhanced awareness among national authorities about GA threats, reinforced commitment to the project through the initiation of a cooperation agreement with the WCO, and updated contact points. The situation assessment identified training needs and project support, while potential difficulties in implementing control actions and using IT tools were also discussed. The process of identifying potential experts and future local trainers was initiated, ensuring that partners are prepared for future challenges. The COLIBRI Team will monitor the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, and the National Steering Committee will convene regularly to ensure ongoing progress and reporting of controls in the Geoportal.
