Doha, October 26 (QNA) - The eighth meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation in the Middle East region commenced on Monday. Hosted by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Middle East Regional Office, the conference will run through October 28.

The event brings together Directors General and senior officials from civil aviation authorities across the region and internationally, alongside representatives from various international and regional civil aviation bodies.

In his opening remarks, In Charge of Managing Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Mohammed bin Faleh Al Hajri highlighted the significance of the meeting as a vital framework to define strategic priorities for the coming period, given the rapid transformations currently shaping the global civil aviation sector.

He addressed key regional developments and their direct impact on the aviation industry, emphasizing the imperative of strengthening regional cooperation and institutional coordination under current circumstances.

He expressed expectations that joint efforts and ongoing regional coordination will contribute to the restoration of operational activities to normal levels, thereby enhancing the stability of the civil aviation sector and supporting its growth in the period ahead. He added that the meeting serves as a platform to bolster collective regional readiness, building upon existing efforts and initiatives under the umbrella of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to enhance the efficiency of air operations and build capacity to address current challenges.

The three-day meeting addresses a comprehensive agenda focused on sector development, including global advancements in aviation safety, air navigation, cybersecurity, environmental protection, and carbon sustainability. It also covers developments concerning air transport facilitation, mechanisms to expand regional implementation support, evolution of the Middle East Aviation Security Program, and operational challenges associated with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones). (QNA)