FORUM: “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for the next 80 years.” International Civil Aviation Day 2024. December 7th will mark the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in Chicago, United States. For eight decades, this defining international agreement has served as the foundation for the development of the global civil aviation system to the benefit of all nations. While the celebration will offer the opportunity to reflect on important achievements over the last eighty years, more importantly it will serve as an opportunity to reflect collectively with all stakeholders on how aviation development will continue to be supported by ICAO over the coming decades. During the 40th Session of the Assembly, Member States adopted Resolution A40-27 related to Innovation in Aviation which recognizes that innovations carry significant potential in improving aviation safety, efficiency, security, facilitation, environmental sustainability, and economic development of air transport. Innovations can also lead to more efficient and streamlined aviation regulatory processes. As the United Nations and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, and embarked on a new era in global sustainable development, the focus on the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity has never been more relevant to the Chicago Convention’s objectives to look to international flight as a fundamental enabler of global peace and prosperity. The ICAO Assembly adopted a long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in support of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement‘s temperature goal. This is a historic agreement that reinforces the leadership of ICAO on issues relating to international aviation and climate change. Read the adopted Resolution A41-21. Follow the conservations with the hashtags: #Flyday, #CivilAviationDay, #7December, #AviationDevelopment, #AdvancingInnovation.
EVENTS: On December 7th to celebrate the International Civil Aviation Day 2024, the Council has decided that the theme will be “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for the next 80 years.”. in celebration of this important milestone, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has organized a unique event to take place on 4 and 5 December 2024 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, formerly The Stevens Hotel, where the Convention was adopted and the birthplace of the Organization. ICAO has planned an Extraordinary Session of its governing body, the Council, to be convened on the morning of 5 December. That session will be followed by a series of interactive and engaging High-Level roundtable discussions with representatives of States, industry, regional organizations, academia, United Nations and non-governmental organizations on the evolution of the sector, the global challenges and opportunities it faces as well as on the fundamental role of ICAO as a bridge builder for the further safe, secure, social, economic and sustainable development of air transport. Register to participate and Watch the live ceremony!
Other major events: The International Civil Aviation Organization will held a series of workshops, seminars and events accessible online on ICAO TV. As part of the ICAO consultative process, the ICAO Global Aviation Dialogues (GLADs) on LTAG will be held in a series of regional events. To take part registrate to the Upcoming events!
- From 9 to 12 December 2024 in Muscat, Oman, The ICAO Security Week 2024 will be held by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This event will be a unique opportunity to cover all aspects of aviation security, including aviation cybersecurity and other emerging issues. It will also be a distinctive edition as we are celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Annex 17 – Aviation Security as well as ICAO’s 80th anniversary. In the ever-evolving threat landscape of aviation, ensuring a sustainable future involves not only technological advancements but also robust security measures. Under the overarching theme "Sustainable Future of Aviation Through Security", this year's event delves into the intersection of sustainability and security within the aviation industry, exploring innovative approaches and practices that can drive progress towards a more secure conscious aviation sector. The event is open to all Member States. Attendance by senior officials is highly recommended especially for the High-level Ministerial Segment. Representatives from non-Member States and international organizations, as invited by the Council, may participate in the meeting with observer status. Member States and international organizations are encouraged to consider involving non-traditional innovators in aviation in the proceedings of the Conference. The event serves as an opportunity for decision-making authorities and aviation stakeholders to exchange information on emerging and stringent issues, to identify solutions and consolidate a culture of collaborative decision making. The event will be hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Sultanate of Oman and will be held at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center, Madinat Al Irfan, Airport Heights. The ICAO Security Week will be broadcast live on ICAO TV. Please ensure you sign up for ICAO TV ahead of time. Read the Draft Muscat Declaration on Aviation Security and Aviation Cybersecurity in Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian |Spanish
- From 9- 12 September 2024 at ICAO HQ, Montréal, Canada will be held the First Advanced Air Mobility Symposium (AAM 2024) entitled “Advanced air mobility (AAM) global harmonization and interoperability: Challenges and opportunities?“.Register to participate to the 1st ICAO Advanced Air mobility Symposium.
- From 12 to 14 March 2024 in Montréal, CANADA will be held the 2024 ICAO Innovation Fair entitled “Digital Aviation: the Future is Now.”. Register to participate to the ICAO Innovation fair 2024.
- From 30 April – 2 May 2024 at the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center, will held the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2024 entitled “Supporting the Implementation of the agreements.” You can view the draft ICAO/GISS 2024 Symposium Detailed programme, and Register to Participate to the ICAO Implementation support Symposium.
CEREMONY: Pearl Harbor Events I 83rd Commemoration of the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Honolulu, HI. Find out how you can attend the National Pearl Harbor Commemoration Ceremony on December 7th, at 7:45 am HST (12:45 pm EST), the USS Oklahoma Memorial Ceremony on December 7th, at 1:00 pm HST (6:00 pm EST), the USS Utah Memorial Ceremony on December 6th, at 5:00 pm HST (10:00 pm EST), a Live Dive at the USS Arizona, and more in December 2023. Pacific Historic Parks.
TRAININGS & COURSES: Aviation professionals keeping our industry safe and secure are our greatest asset. ICAO Training equip and empower current and next of generation aviation professionals with the techniques and tools to thrive in today’s challenging aviation sector. Their courses engage learners from diverse backgrounds, facilitating relationship building and collaboration across borders. To connect with the global aviation training community, visit the ICAO Aviation Training and Education Directory (ATED), an essential component of the TRAINAIR PLUS Programme.
WEBCASTS: Stream the latest videos from ICAO and civil aviation partners. Watch events, expert webinars, training content and much more on thematic on ICAO TV. The IATA conferences, exhibitions and industry meetings provide organizations active in air transport with an essential arena for insight, discussion and cooperation on new technologies and industry-related issues. Find out all media resources and proceedings from #IATAGMD as the event unfolds.> Global Media Day Program.
PUBLICATION: The ICAO States Today publication is a collection of Member State Profiles, highlighting aviation-specifics and other interesting facts about each State. Explore the free publications!
Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the 80th Anniversary of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
I congratulate the International Civil Aviation Organization on the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Across the decades, your organization, which the Convention established, has expanded dramatically, from 54 nations gathered in Chicago in 1944 to a membership of 193 today.
ICAO now stands as a powerful example of multilateralism in action.
Your organization is also a reminder of aviation’s importance to our world - connecting people, supporting livelihoods, sustaining economies, and supporting humanitarian responses to emergencies, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The history of the aviation sector is also a tale of resilience and adaptability. Today, aviation faces one of its greatest challenges: addressing the climate crisis. Accounting for around 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions, aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. But with innovation and investment, it can be done.
The ICAO's new Long-Term Strategic Plan points the way. The plan's emphasis on prioritizing concrete emissions reduction over offsets, environmental protection, and capacity building - particularly through the "No Country Left Behind" initiative – aligns with the 2030 Agenda. And I commend ICAO's leadership to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
Turning these goals into reality will require rapid action.
Carbon pricing, low-carbon fuel standards, and subsidies for the production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels will be vital, as well as steering public and private investments toward technological innovation.
Today, as we commemorate your milestone anniversary, let us recommit to a safe, sustainable and prosperous aviation sector for all humanity.
United Nations Secretary-General.
Acknowledging that 7 December 2024 marks the Eightieth Anniversary of the signing in Chicago of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention); Convinced that the fundamental aims, objectives and principles of the Chicago Convention remain as relevant today as when they were conceived eighty years ago;
Recognizing that the growth of civil aviation has been made possible through the unwavering commitment and cooperation of the international community in adhering to the principle set out in the Preamble to the Chicago Convention that international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world; Determined to work to ensure that the development of safe, secure, sustainable and accessible international civil aviation will continue to promote global peace and security, social integration, economic prosperity and sustainable development for future generations;
Considering that the rapid acceleration in the growth of the aviation sector and the exponential increase in the number of passengers, as well as in the volume of cargo are expected to pose challenges for the sector, and that ICAO, in collaboration with its partners, must set ambitious goals to deliver on the promise of Safe Skies: Sustainable Future;
Affirming that through its normative work, oversight, and capacity development, and as illustrated by the successful implementation of the No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative supporting the development of air transport, ICAO facilitates international civil aviation that is safe, secure, efficient, economically sound and viable, socially and environmentally sustainable, and focussed on the passenger;
Recognizing the significant contributions that ICAO has made and must continue to make to global efforts to address the adverse environmental impacts that are related to civil aviation activity and combat climate change;
Affirming that ICAO will continue to play an essential role as a global forum for fostering consensus and multilateral cooperation among Member States and the international civil aviation community, while upholding the rules-based system on which the Organization was founded, in order to ensure that the international civil aviation legal framework remains responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities;
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), on the occasion of this 80th Anniversary of the signing of the Chicago Convention:
1. Pays tribute to the leadership, vision and cooperative spirit of the signatories to the Chicago Convention and to all those who contribute to the development of international civil aviation;
2. Reiterates the need for ICAO to continue to take a leadership role in the development and support for the principles, standards, and agreements for the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation;
3. Welcomes efforts to strengthen the Organization’s ability to respond in an effective and equitable manner to the challenges facing international civil aviation, while pursuing ambitious, long-term goals, as stated in the ICAO Strategic Plan 2026–2050, aimed at supporting a safer, more secure, accessible, economically sound and viable, efficient, affordable and environmentally sustainable international civil aviation system, on the basis of equal opportunity and amidst ever-increasing global demand;
4. Pledges to continue to work together with Member States and the global civil aviation community in order to build partnerships and promote best practices that foster a more resilient, inclusive and diverse aviation sector, while ensuring that international civil aviation will continue to contribute to the achievement of the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
5. Encourages Member States and stakeholders to accelerate progress towards an environmentally sustainable, low-emissions, and energy efficient civil aviation sector, including the long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as through the Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other aviation cleaner energies;
6. Urges Member States, the industry, international organizations, financial institutions, donors, and other stakeholders to coordinate and cooperate amongst themselves and through ICAO, to support the implementation of assistance activities to States in need, in line with established global and regional priorities, while emphasizing the importance of long-term strategies, stakeholder partnerships and multilateral mechanisms to support these efforts, consistent with ICAO Assembly Resolutions;
7. Recognizes the important role of women in the aviation sector and commits to promoting their engagement at all levels as part of an inclusive and equitable approach that fosters diversity in decision-making and management of the sector;
8. Recognizes the important role that innovation will play in the future of aviation and commits to employing and developing all available measures, as well as promoting the participation of new entrants in the sector to maximise its potential in strengthening aviation safety, efficiency, security, facilitation, affordability, and economic and environmental sustainability for the benefit of future generations;
9. Calls upon all ICAO Member States to continue to promote and adhere to the objectives and principles of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and comply fully with its provisions; and
10. Requests the Secretary General to bring this resolution to the attention of all Member States, the partner organizations of the United Nations system and all other relevant stakeholders.
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