Aviation sector discusses key challenges

Over 130 delegations came up with decisions and recommendation to conclude a conference held at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in Montreal, Canada. The ‘High Level Security Conference’ witnessed the election of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of General Civil Aviation Authority, to chair the Conference. The Minister of Economy expressed his gratitude to this election and stressed the significance of deliberating with the international community under the umbrella of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Al Mansouri headed the UAE Delegation to Canada accompanied by Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, Capt. Aysha Al Hamili, Permanent Representative of UAE to ICAO and Eng. Aws Al Khinjari, Executive Directors of Aviation Security Affairs at GCAA. UAE Delegation deliberated with the international community to come up with a list of recommendations to enhance aviation security around the globe. The conference encouraged ICAO Member States and industry stakeholders to adopt a risk-based approach to aviation security. High Level Security Conference serves as an international forum for aviation security experts from over 190 States to look into current security trends and analyse international data gathered by different countries around the world. It fosters international negotiations, which lead to introducing new global regulations and policies to optimise aviation security. It also welcomed the initiative taken by ICAO to establish a Risk Context Statement, which provides valuable information to its Member States and offers a robust methodology for States to use in further developing their own national risk assessments, should they choose to use this methodology. Conference strongly encouraged ICAO to expedite the adoption of new security Standards and Recommended Practices to mitigate the risk to air cargo and mail, based on the implementation of secure supply chain systems, common baseline security measures for both passenger and all-cargo aircraft, and enhanced security measures for cargo and mail considered to be high risk. It also requested ICAO, the World Customs Organisation, the Universal Postal Union and industry stakeholders to identify further synergies between aviation security, Customs and postal security requirements, with the objective of facilitating trade while assuring the security of air cargo and mail. The Conference aimed to provide an opportunity for States and aviation stakeholders to engage in discussion on present and future challenges to aviation security; reach global consensus on key aviation security priorities; and ensure that the commitments expressed by States during the series of regional conferences, held in 2011 and 2012, culminate in a harmonized implementation of the ICAO declaration on Aviation Security, through enhanced international co-operation. From gulftoday