Captain Aysha Al Hameli, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, has been nominated as First Vice President by the Representative of Saudi Arabia, Saud Hashem. Her nomination was welcomed and supported by all council members and the ICAO Council agreed with the consensus to elect the UAE Representative as the Council's First Vice President for the period 2016-2017. 

Speaking on the occasion, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said, "This election reflects the importance of the UAE's global position as a leading state in the aviation sector and reflects the active role played by the UAE, through its membership of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Council." 

Capt. Al Hameli said, "I am delighted and honoured to be elected for the position of Vice President of the organisation and this confirms that the door is open now, more than ever before for Emirati women to reach the top positions in the country, and increase the international representation of the UAE in major international organisations, as a result of the government's policies that encourage this direction." 

The UAE was re-elected to ICAO in elections held on 4th October 4th. This represents the UAE's fourth consecutive term on the ICAO Council following previous election wins in 2007, 2010 and 2013. The win comes as a result of the UAE's successful election campaign during the ICAO's 39th session of its triennial assembly that was run by GCAA in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. 

Source: WAM