By Mohamed Attia
Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh el-Hefny affirmed Egypt’s commitment to upholding the highest global standards for safety, security, and quality, positioning the nation as a leading regional aviation hub.
The Minister’s remarks were delivered during his participation in the 26th session of the Latin American and Caribbean Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC) General Assembly and the accompanying high-level sessions of the International Air Transport Services Conference (ICAN 2025), held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
El-Hefny acknowledged the prominent role played by LACAC in developing the air transport industry and supporting regional integration among its member states.
The Minister stressed that Egypt, through its active membership in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is dedicated to applying the most rigorous standards, which enhances its position on the global aviation map. Furthermore, El-Hefny highlighted Egypt’s adherence to the principles of environmental sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions in accordance with international standards. He emphasised the vital role of enhanced co-operation between the civil aviation clusters of Latin America, the Arab world, and Africa to drive sustainable industry growth.
He noted that strengthening relations between these regions is crucial for the exchange of expertise and best practices among various stakeholders.
El-Hefny also asserted that developing training programmes and building human capacity are among the most important pillars of development in the aviation sector. He pointed to the necessity of adopting modern technologies and advanced air navigation systems to keep pace with the rapid developments in global air transport. The Minister added that international co-operation and integration among countries are key factors for supporting the civil aviation industry, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, and promoting economic, commercial, and tourism development across different regions worldwide. He concluded by noting that the conference provided a vital platform for dialogue, affirming Egypt’s full commitment to active participation in strengthening joint co-operation among regional civil aviation clusters, which will further bolster the country’s position.
The high-level sessions of ICAN 2025, organised by the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, was a major international gathering attended by the President of the Dominican Republic, several ministers, heads of civil aviation authorities, ICAO officials, regional air transport partners, and representatives from 88 countries worldwide.
Head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority Pilot Amr El-Sharkawy represented Egypt at the conference. The events included an opening session, which featured speeches by Hector Porcella, President of LACAC, and Salvatore Chaquitano, President of the ICAO Council, and a high-level panel discussion entitled “The 7th World Air Transport Conference – A Future Perspective,” which addressed the future of international air transport and mechanisms for developing regulatory and economic frameworks.
