ICAO to focus on safety, security and the environment at triennial meeting

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stated (01-Sep-2010) the 37th triennial session of its assembly will focus on policies and regulations that will deliver on systematic and consistent improvements to safety, security and environmental sustainability of the sector in years to come. The meeting will focus on three key areas:

• Safety: The ICAO assembly will review for adoption a proposed safety strategy based on transparency and the sharing of safety information, the greater involvement of regional safety organisations and increased cooperation between regulators and industry stakeholders;
• Security: The assembly will evaluate a range of proposals to deal with new and emerging threats to the security of flights, 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: The 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 harmonised agreement from a sector for addressing 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. [more]