Doha, April 14 (QNA) - Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Juan Carlos Salazar stressed the importance of international cooperation in enhancing the safety, security, and sustainability of the global civil aviation sector.

During a presentation at the ICAO Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025) hosted in Doha, Salazar explained that the novel long-term strategic plan adopted by the organization aims to enhance the aviation sector's ability to achieve seamless mobility by expanding national and international cooperation, taking into account aspects related to passenger identity.

He expected that 116 countries would develop national plans to address public health risks related to aviation, noting that this is essential to ensuring the resilience of the global air transport network.

He added that the organization expects this strategy to also contribute to providing the necessary support to victims of aviation accidents and their families, stressing that the 1944 Chicago Convention will continue to provide a strong and flexible legal basis for addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in the international civil aviation sector.

Salazar noted that the agreement includes provisions obligating countries to take the necessary measures to prevent the spread of diseases, unnecessary delays in immigration, customs, and quarantine procedures, as well as coordination between the various relevant authorities, ensuring the efficiency of air transport operations while preserving border safety, public health, and human dignity.

The Secretary-General pointed out that the strategic development of the aviation sector over the decades has demonstrated the organization's ability to address the complexities of official procedures, while simultaneously achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He indicated that this framework will play a vital role with the increasing number of travelers and evolving security requirements, which necessitate effective and smooth border management.

He also noted that the 41st session of the ICAO General Assembly, held in 2022, marked an important milestone in the framework of air transport facilitation. The Assembly adopted a number of key resolutions, most notably the Unified Statement on Facilitation Policies, which emphasized the importance of harmonizing border control procedures and adapting to emerging security challenges. The Assembly also addressed the issue of human trafficking via aviation, calling for enhanced cooperation between border authorities, law enforcement agencies, and air operators, and the adoption of improved interventions to combat this phenomenon.

Salazar noted that the Assembly also discussed ways to promote equal access to air transport services for persons with disabilities by setting standards for airport infrastructure, facilitating passenger travel procedures, and training personnel. The Assembly also established a framework for assistance to victims of aviation accidents, in addition to adopting strategies to address pandemics, drawing on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding the importance of health document verification and crisis management.

In a related context, the ICAO Secretary General discussed the Passenger Identification Program, describing it as one of the key modern methods of identity management in the aviation sector. He explained that the program is based on five key elements that form an integrated framework for secure identification: comprehensive identity management, standardized travel document issuance and oversight procedures, effective inspection systems, and interoperable technical applications. He emphasized that implementing this program enables countries to achieve a high level of efficiency and accuracy in identifying individuals.

The first day's activities continued with a live demonstration (SKYTALKS) on methods for verifying digital travel documents, as part of the ICAO Facilitation Conference, held in Doha under the theme "Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, Inclusivity", which runs from April 14-17.

The conference addressed a range of topics and dialogue sessions related to the role of air transport facilitation in supporting the growth of the aviation industry and exploring innovative methods that contribute to achieving more sustainable development in the civil aviation sector. (QNA)