ICAO: Future direction of international civil aviation

At the 37th triennial Session of its Assembly, the 190 Member States of ICAO will focus on policies and regulations that will deliver on systematic and consistent improvements to the level of safety, security and environmental sustainability of the sector in the years to come.

Ministers and high-level officials from a number of Member States and representatives from some 30 international organizations, representing all aspects of international civil aviation will participate.

SAFETY

The challenge for aviation is to develop more sophisticated tools and techniques to proactively improve safety in an operating environment that is increasingly complex, due to the growth in the number of flights worldwide, the wider range of technologies from older and latest generation aircraft flying in the same airspace, and the progressive introduction of remote-controlled airborne vehicles. The challenge is also to further improve the safety of the global system while focusing on those regions of the world with the highest levels of safety risks. Accordingly, the Assembly will review for adoption a proposed safety strategy based on transparency and the sharing of safety information, the greater involvement of regional safety organizations and increased cooperation between regulators and industry stakeholders.

SECURITY

The attempted bombing of a commercial airliner on 25 December 2009 intensified efforts to protect commercial aircraft and air transport facilities from terrorist attacks. The ICAO Assembly will evaluate a range of proposals to deal with new and emerging threats to the security of flights, as well as persons on the ground, while accelerating the flow of passengers at airports. It is also expected to adopt a comprehensive security policy to further tighten the global security net.

ENVIRONMENT

In what is expected to be a landmark decision, the ICAO Assembly will be asked to adopt a policy on climate change that includes even more ambitious goals than those contained in a Programme of Action adopted last year by a high-level meeting on aviation and climate change. This will constitute the first and to date only globally-harmonized agreement from a sector for addressing its CO2 emissions. Member States will look at a number of mitigating measures to further reduce civil aviation's impact on the environment, including market-based approaches and alternative fuels for aviation, as well as other technological and operational initiatives to support the sustainable growth of international aviation.

The Assembly will also focus on improvements to the global air navigation system and the efficiency of air transport operations. It will elect the Council of the Organization for the next three years.