By Mohamed Attia
Egypt has achieved a major milestone in the aviation sector by winning the presidency of the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation for a two-year term.
During the meetings held in Rabat, Morocco, Egypt was also re-elected as a member of the organisation’s Executive Council, alongside several of its technical committees.
This double victory highlights Egypt’s growing influence in regional and international aviation policy and its commitment to developing the air transport sector across the Arab world.
Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh el-Hefny led the Egyptian delegation and expressed his pride in the election results.
He stated that this achievement reflects the deep trust Egypt enjoys among neighbouring Arab nations and acknowledges the country’s extensive institutional expertise.
El-Hefny emphasised that Egypt will use this leadership position to foster regional integration, share best practices, and help shape a stronger future for Arab aviation.
Looking forward, Egypt plans to actively drive the organisation’s key initiatives. The focus will be on raising air safety standards, improving operational efficiency, accelerating digital transformation, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Additionally, the minister praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its successful leadership during its previous presidency of the Executive Council, noting that their efforts greatly enhanced co-operation among member states.
Prior to the main elections, the Executive Council held its 74th session to address critical issues facing the industry. Leaders discussed modernising aviation laws, strengthening security, and aligning Arab positions on global aviation matters ahead of international forums like the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The General Assembly also concluded with a leadership transition, approving the appointment of Khaled El Sharkawy as the new Director General, succeeding Abdel Nabi Manar, whom Egypt thanked for his dedicated service.
