International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Establishment: Founded in 1944, ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport. – Purpose: To ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation worldwide. – Headquarters: Montréal, Canada. |
| Objectives | – Safety: Enhance global civil aviation safety. – Security: Strengthen aviation security. – Environmental Protection: Minimize the environmental impact of civil aviation activities. – Efficiency: Improve the efficiency of aviation operations. – Continuity: Maintain the continuity of aviation operations. – Rule of Law: Strengthen laws governing international civil aviation. |
| Members as of December 2024 | – Total Membership: 193 Member States. |
| Reports/Indices | – Annual Safety Report: Provides updates on safety indicators, including accidents and related risk factors. – World Civil Aviation Report: Offers an overview of key developments in aviation over the past year, future trends, and associated initiatives undertaken by ICAO. – Annual Reports of the Council: Summarizes the implementation of decisions taken by ICAO’s highest body. – E-library of Final Reports: Contains final reports of investigated accidents and incidents submitted to ICAO, serving as a resource for aviation safety lessons. – ICAO Statistics Programme: Collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates civil aviation statistics to support the efficient, safe, and secure development of civil aviation. |
| Instruments | – Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention): Establishes the core principles permitting international transport by air. – Annexes to the Chicago Convention: 19 annexes covering Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental protection. – Protocols Amending the Chicago Convention: Various protocols that update and amend the original convention. |
| Structure | – Assembly: The sovereign body composed of representatives from all Member States, meets triennially. – Council: The governing body elected by the Assembly for a three-year term, responsible to the Assembly. – Secretariat: Headed by the Secretary-General, it carries out the day-to-day work of ICAO. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Air Navigation Commission: Responsible for the examination and coordination of amendments to the Annexes to the Chicago Convention. – Committee on Joint Support of Air Navigation Services: Oversees joint financing agreements. – Finance Committee: Advises the Council on financial matters. |
| Committees | – Air Transport Committee: Deals with economic aspects of air transport. – Technical Cooperation Committee: Oversees ICAO’s technical assistance and cooperation programs. – Legal Committee: Addresses legal issues in international civil aviation. |
| Initiatives | – Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA): A global market-based measure to address CO₂ emissions from international aviation. – No Country Left Behind: Assists States in implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). – Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP): Monitors and assesses States’ safety oversight capabilities. – Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP): Evaluates Member States’ aviation security performance. – Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP): Ensures that enough qualified and competent aviation professionals are available to operate, manage, and maintain the future international air transport system. – State Action Plan Initiative: Launched in 2010, this initiative enables Member States to establish long-term strategies on climate change for the international aviation sector, involving all interested parties at the national level. – Global Coalition for Sustainable Aviation: Includes stakeholders working on innovations and breakthroughs in aviation technology, operations, infrastructure, and sustainable aviation fuels, aiming to achieve environmental objectives. – Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG): Adopted in October 2022, this goal aims for net-zero carbon emissions in international aviation by 2050. |
