ICAO

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), a UN Specialised Agency, is the global forum for civil aviation. ICAO works to achieve its vision of safe, secure and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation amongst its member States.

The Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as Chicago Convention), was signed on 07-Dec-1944 by 52 States. Pending ratification of the Convention by 26 States, the Provisional International Civil Aviation Organisation (PICAO) was established. ICAO came into being on 04-Apr-1947. In October of the same year, ICAO became a specialised agency of the United Nations linked to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The Preamble to the Convention on International Civil Aviation sets forth the purpose of ICAO:

• WHEREAS the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its abuse can become a threat to the general security; and
• WHEREAS it is desirable to avoid friction and to promote that co-operation between nations and peoples upon which the peace of the world depends;
• THEREFORE, the undersigned governments having agreed on certain principles and arrangements in order that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically.