By Mohamed Attia
Civil Aviation Minister Samah el-Hefny emphasised Egypt’s support for the new strategic plan of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The minister also asserted that the Ministry places the improvement of personnel and the modernisation of technical infrastructure at the top of its priorities, in alignment with the highest international standards.
This came during el-Hefny’s participation in the 13th Meeting of Civil Aviation Authority Officials for the North America, Central America and Caribbean Region (NACC/DCA/13), organised by the ICAO in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.
The event witnessed broad participation from chairpersons and representatives of civil aviation authorities in the Member States, as well as heads of relevant regional and international organisations.
El-Hefny emphasised that the participation of the Ministry of Civil Aviation reflects its continuous commitment to enhancing co-operation with ICAO and the Member States.
He also highlighted the importance of such meetings for exchanging expertise and coordinating policies to address the sector’s challenges.
The minister stated that Egypt pays great attention to regional integration and mutual technical co-operation, as well as aligning its national legislation with international requirements.
This is within the framework of balancing market liberalisation with the protection of developing countries’ interests.
The meeting addressed the main pillars of ICAO’s new strategic plan (2026–2050), most notably the modernisation of the air navigation system, economic regulation, and human resource development.
The attendees also discussed developments in air transport and regional connectivity, reviewed the outcomes of the World Air Cargo Summit, and considered the recommendations of the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Events (ICAN).
On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister el-Hefny participated in the 12th Session of the Steering Committee of the Multiregional Assistance Programme (MCAAP – RLA/09/801 PSC/12), which addressed ways to enhance the capabilities of civil aviation authorities in the fields of safety and security, as well as in training, air transport, and compliance with international standards.
The committee also reviewed the tangible progress in implementing environmental initiatives adopted by ICAO, including the Sustainable Aviation Fuel programme (ACT-SAF), the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), as well as national action plans to reduce emissions.
This comes within the global trend towards a more sustainable aviation sector.
The minister concluded his participation by emphasising Egypt’s continued support for the sustainable development of the aviation sector, both regionally and internationally, through active participation in ICAO’s environmental and technical initiatives, and by enhancing institutional and operational performance.
He also highlighted the role of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in unifying visions among Member States and supporting joint efforts to advance the global aviation industry.
