Doha, April 14 (QNA) - Under the patronage of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, HE Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani inaugurated Monday the ICAO Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025).

The event convenes over 120 ministers and heads of civil aviation authorities from various countries around the globe, alongside a substantial number of top-tier officials, experts, and leaders in the civil aviation sector representing 190 countries.

Hosted by the State of Qatar and organized by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the conference is held under the theme: "Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, Inclusivity". It offers a unique platform for states and aviation industry stakeholders to explore advancements in air transport facilitation. It encourages dialogue on improving cooperation and operational efficiency in global air travel.

Runing through April 17, the conference serves as a platform for participants to collaborate on setting a global facilitation strategy that contributes to enhancing adaptability and responsiveness to the rapid developments in the domain of civil aviation.

It is characterized by the high-level ministerial segment that will identify its strategic trajectory and reaffirm the global commitment to fostering air transport facilitation, thereby offering an effective platform to discuss and approve the initiatives that aim to bolster the role of facilitation in connecting the communities and providing smooth international mobility.

In his opening remarks, HE the Minister of Transport welcomed the attendees and underscored the importance of this convention at a time when the civil aviation sector is encountering mounting challenges, thereby making the enhancement of operational flexibility and response to regulatory and economic changes, as well as digital transformation a top priority.

The conference is a pivotal platform to advance innovative and proactive solutions that help build a more efficient and sustainable air transport system.

His Excellency affirmed that hosting this important conference by the State of Qatar underscores the foremost priority it gives to civil aviation sector as a core pillar of economic advancement and a catalyst for strengthening regional and international connectivity, epitomizing Qatar's strategic investments in civil aviation infrastructure and endorsing policies and cutting-edge technologies in this respect.

He emphasized the State of Qatar's enduring commitment to fostering air transport facilitations, as well as security and operational efficiency in commensurate with the Qatar National Vision 2030 that intends to promote Qatar's stature as an advanced global hub in the field of transport.

In addition, His Excellency lauded the Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Airways, and said that HIA, the winner of numerous world awards, is symbolic of the country’s commitment to providing a world-class infrastructure for an exceptional passenger experience, and Qatar Airways, named the world’s best airline for several years, embodies such a commitment in the form of offering an integrated travel experience based on latest traveler data systems that helped cut wait time, and improve security check procedures, in addition to being a main partner to global facilitation initiatives in association with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), thereby putting best universal practices in place.

This commitment, he highlighted, is further exemplified by Qatar Airways, which is repeatedly recognized as the world’s best airline, offering a fully integrated travel experience powered by state-of-the-art passenger data systems that have substantially reduced waiting times and enhanced security screening procedures.

Qatar Airways serves as a principal partner in global facilitation initiatives in collaboration with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), thereby supporting the implementation of best-in-class international practices, His Excellency underlined.

His Excellency invited participants to take full advantage of this opportunity to deepen international cooperation and engage in productive discussions that lead to meaningful collaboration and impactful solutions for improving air transport facilitation and the traveler experience.

He also invited Their Excellencies the ministers and senior officials to the High-Level Ministerial Segment, where a joint ministerial declaration will be announced. This declaration aims to promote a unified and comprehensive approach to air transport facilitation, support future initiatives, and ensure continued progress based on shared strategic principles.

In his address, In Charge of Managing QCAA, Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, welcomed all attendees to Doha. He emphasized Qatar's emergence as a global aviation leader, driven not only by its advanced infrastructure but also by its intellectual leadership, active engagement in ICAO initiatives, and ongoing efforts to raise international standards in the sector.

Al Hajri emphasized the importance of the conference’s theme, stating: "It underscores the need for collaborative efforts to achieve efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience in the transport of passengers and cargo, ensuring smooth and secure global movement." He added: "This is not just an operational necessity but a key factor in strengthening the aviation sector’s role and its positive impact on the global economy. It drives connectivity between nations, particularly as the industry undergoes significant transformation and rapid technological advancement. This requires a proactive, cooperative approach to address emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities in air transport facilitation." He also reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to advancing international facilitation through active participation in ICAO activities and involvement in various technical committees and working groups.

Furthermore, Al Hajri drew attention to the value of the conference sessions, which will focus on addressing vital topics for the development of air transport facilitation. He emphasized that fostering international cooperation is key to strengthening the global aviation system’s resilience and adaptability. This approach aligns with ICAO’s vision to advance the sector, and he urged all member states and participants to engage in open dialogue that promotes the exchange of experiences, best practices, and practical solutions to support global facilitation frameworks.

Over its four-day program, the ICAO Facilitation Conference will feature numerous sessions covering key issues related to cooperation and coordination among relevant authorities in the field of facilitation. Topics include cargo release clearance and automation processes, travel document integrity and border control, addressing inadmissible persons, deportees, refugees and stateless persons, combating human trafficking and irregular migration, assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, capacity building and implementation support for states, and innovation in facilitation. The conference will conclude with the announcement of the adoption of the Doha Declaration on Facilitation of International Air Transport.

Accompanying the conference will be an exhibition featuring participation from various organizations and companies, offering a unique opportunity to showcase the latest procedures and technologies in air transport facilitation. (QNA)