Programme

Summary and Objectives 

 

In 2014, the total economic impact of aviation reached some 3.5 per cent of world GDP or 2.4 trillion US dollars. The sector supported the global employment of 58.1 million people, given its cross-cutting nature and multiple links to other economic sectors.

 

Additionally, over half of the world’s 1.1 billion tourists crossed State borders by air to reach their destinations, a figure which rises to 80 percent for various small island States, meanwhile air freight represented 34.6 per cent of world trade by value.

 

Yet despite air transport’s clear economic significance and demonstrated ability to serve as a foundation and catalyst for global connectivity and economic growth, only 2.6 per cent of global 2005-2015 funding for infrastructure and services has supported aviation development.

 

A safe, secure and sustainable global aviation system, based on the effective implementation of global standards and which leaves no country behind, provides the nations of the world with efficient access to global markets. This connectivity increases tourism and trade and generates numerous economic benefits supporting poverty eradication, job creation and resource mobilization. Once established through suitable commitments and investments, this growth subsequently feeds into aviation re-investment supporting projected targets for network growth and efficiency, creating a sustainable and healthy cycle of national aviation and economic development.

 

ICAO, the United Nations’ Specialized Agency for civil aviation, recently launched a No Country Left Behind (NCLB) campaign to better identify and coordinate assistance to States. This in turn permits them to realize and benefit from any and all improvements in their civil aviation capacities and the connectivity they support.

 

The ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF) is a unique opportunity to further harness aviation’s vast potential for stimulating economic growth, in a manner consistent with the vision of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the targets reflected in ICAO’s NCLB goals. IWAF will bring together States and the financial/development community to raise the level of assistance in the civil aviation sector by making air transport a priority enabler for national/regional development and mobilizing resources for this purpose.

 

The event seeks primarily to:

 

    • Highlight ICAO’s NCLB efforts to assist States in implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
    • Outline ICAO’s goals regarding improved business case preparation for aviation projects.
    • Ensure that SARPs implementation is better harmonized globally so that all States have access to the significant socioeconomic benefits of safe and reliable air transport.
    • Foster improved collaboration through ICAO among States, industry, and development and business
      community partners.
2015 ICAO WORLD AVIATION FORUM: EVENT PROGRAMME
DAY 1: 23 NOVEMBER 2015
09:00 – 09:30 | MORNING COFFEE - SPONSORED BY EAST AFRICAN SCHOOL OF AVIATION
09:30 – 09:45 | OFFICIAL OPENING
NCLB Goals Supporting Improved State Aviation Implementation
In order to achieve the NCLB goals, ICAO has committed to providing more direct assistance to States, especially developing countries. The Organization is also playing a more active coordination role between States and is helping to generate the political will needed for States to mobilize and pool resources, participate in regional efforts, and build capacity.
Keynote address by Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the Council of ICAO
Welcome address by The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Canada
09:45 – 12:30 | OPENING SESSION
How Safe and Reliable Air Transport Delivers Important Economic Benefits to States
A safe and reliable air transport system helps improve quality of life, shares societal and cultural knowledge globally, delivers better services and aid to the public, and enhances access to remote and lesser- developed areas. Such a system should also efficiently use existing and future resources to serve as a powerful driver of economic growth and human development. As a member of the United Nations family, ICAO serves as an enabler for the development of international civil aviation and thereby enhances friendship and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. This opening session will address various benefits and contributions including improvement of air connectivity, bolstering of competitiveness, and strengthening of air transport’s role as a foundation for the future, through the following high-level round tables:
High-level Round Table on the Importance of NCLB goals to Socio-economic development:
  • Emphasizing the connection between the effective implementation of global aviation standards and polices and the social and economic benefits
  • Outlining that there cannot be sustainable economies without sustainable aviation
Co-moderators:
H.E. Ali Ahmed Jama, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Somalia, and
Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UN World Tourism Organization
Speakers:
High-level Round Table on the need for coherent global aviation standards and policies with other sectors to further improve air connectivity and modernize infrastructure:
  • Demonstrating political will to converge separate sectoral frameworks in aviation and other economic sectors
  • Identifying regulatory impediments to harnessing the full potential of aviation for sustainable growth and development
Co-moderators:
Mrs. Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, and
Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General, World Customs Organization
Speakers:
High-level Round Table on the experiences and expectations of emerging economies and the development community:
  • Sharing the experience of States that have successfully implemented global aviation standards and polices for national development
  • Highlighting the role of aviation as an effective development tool and the required assistance and financing for development
Co-moderators:
H.E. Elizabeth Dipuo Peters, Minister of Transport, South Africa, and
Mr. Wu Hongbo, USG for Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations
Speakers:
12:30 – 14:00 | LUNCH - SPONSORED BY UNITED ARAB EMIRATES GENERAL CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
14:00 – 15:30 | PART TWO OF OPENING SESSION
High-level Dialogue on the Inter-sectorial Collaboration: Aviation Strategies for the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In September 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit adopted Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ICAO’s Strategic Objectives are strongly linked to 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, demonstrating our full commitment to their implementation. To achieve the SDGs, uniting efforts among States and the international communities is required beyond the civil aviation sector. This panel will also provide industry perspectives on the importance of aviation and its significant role in economic development.
Address by Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary General of ICAO
Co-moderators:
Mr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister of Transport, Ethiopia, and
Mr. Amir Abdullah, Deputy Executive Director, World Food Programme
Participants:
15:30 – 16:00 | COFFEE BREAK - SPONSORED BY AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL
16:00 – 17:15 | PANEL SESSION
Global Investment and Aviation Development Perspective
During the coming 10 to 15 years, the aviation industry will register higher growth globally, which will put increased pressure on existing aviation capacity and facilities. This in turn will require huge infrastructure expansion, acquisition of modern equipment and training of technical personnel. Timely investment in the sector will enable States and the industry to benefit from the economic impact of aviation.
Regional and national development banks, donor States and organizations and development partners can seize this opportunity to spur economic development through the financing of infrastructure expansion projects involving airports, the acquisition of new aircraft and air navigation equipment and the training of technical personnel.
This panel session will outline the future needs of States and industry and will present banks, donors and development partners with opportunities for participating in the aviation projects and impacting on the economic and social development of States.
Moderator:
Ms. Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Guyana
Assisted by: Mr. Ivan Galán Martínez, Director, ICAO Technical Cooperation Bureau
Panelists:
17:30 – 20:00 | RECEPTION
Hosted by the President of the Council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, and
ICAO Secretary General, Dr. Fang Liu
END DAY 1
2015 ICAO WORLD AVIATION FORUM: EVENT PROGRAMME
DAY 2: 24 NOVEMBER 2015
09:00 – 10:30 | PANEL SESSION
Contributing a Safe, Secure and Sustainable Global Aviation System towards the Achievement of the SDGs
Current aviation development includes a wide range of regulatory, infrastructure, human resources, training, and related capacity-building activities. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to realize a safe, secure and sustainable air transport foundation in a given State, one which is consistent with ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and Strategic Objectives for the global air transport network.
Once ICAO-compliant air transport connectivity is established, it begins to support expanded tourism and many other local and regional socio-economic development goals for States and Regions. Opportunities for local citizens, businesses and producers to access foreign supplies and markets begin to multiply significantly, and further important benefits for governments and societies are realized through improvements in medical transport, emergency response and cultural exchange.
Despite this clear link to the SDGs, aviation development projects remain significantly underfunded. To that end this panel will discuss concrete steps that States and other stakeholders need to take in order to ensure that aviation is properly represented in the development framework.
Moderator:
Dr. Özkan Poyraz, Deputy Undersecretary, Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, Turkey
Assisted by: Mr. Boubacar Djibo, Director, ICAO Air Transport Bureau
Panelists:
10:30 – 11:00 | COFFEE BREAK - SPONSORED BY CAA INTERNATIONAL (UK CAA)
11:00 –12:30 | PANEL SESSION
Methodologies and Tools: to Assist States with SARP Implementation and Economic Development
Recognizing the importance of the implementation of global standards for aviation development, ICAO has begun to be more engaged in directly assisting States as they seek to effectively implement ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
The rapid growth of air traffic in recent years requires continuous safety oversight at both the State and regional levels with respect to both current and emerging risks. ICAO develops tools for sharing and exchanging important safety and security information between Member States, and these then assist States with validation and prioritization, alignment with Strategic Objectives, and ultimately the realization of coordinated and integrated implementation plans.
This panel will introduce some of the latest developments regarding the ICAO tools, exploring how recent innovations can help States to ensure safe, secure and sustainable civil aviation.
Moderator:
Ms. Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport, Ghana
Assisted by: Mr. Stephen Creamer, Director, ICAO Air Navigation Bureau
Panelists:
12:30 – 14:00 | LUNCH BREAK - SPONSORED BY THALES AIR SYSTEMS
14:00 – 15:15 | PANEL SESSION
Evolving ICAO’s Regional Support
The regional support structure of ICAO, led by its seven Regional Offices, is the primary mechanism through which ICAO oversees and assists in the effective implementation of ICAO’s Global Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as well as ICAO policies and guidance material. Through it, States and stakeholders can access experts and information on regional priorities, strategies and programmes related to ICAO Global Plans and initiatives. From this panel session, participants will have a better understanding of this regional structure and how it can best be involved in aviation projects.
Moderator:
Mr. Benjamin Roberts, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gambia
Assisted by: Mr. Stephen Creamer, Director, Air Navigation Bureau
Panelists:
15:15 – 15:45 | COFFEE BREAK - SPONSORED BY EMBRY-RIDDLE PH.D. IN AVIATION
15:45 – 17:15 | PANEL SESSION
Case Studies and Success Stories: Aviation Driving Local and Regional Prosperity
Economies of several States have already benefitted from the implementation of various aviation projects. During this panel session these success stories will be shared by those instrumental in carrying them out. The panelists will represent a range of experiences including how they overcame resource and political challenges. They will also highlight how the ICAO Regional Offices and other institutions were able to support their efforts.
Moderator:
Mr. Peter Shanel, Minister of Communication and Aviation, Solomon Islands
Assisted by: Mr. Boubacar Djibo, Director, ICAO Air Transport Bureau
Panelists:
18:00 –20:00 | RECEPTION - SPONSORED BY INDONESIA
END DAY 2
2015 ICAO WORLD AVIATION FORUM: EVENT PROGRAMME
DAY 3: 25 NOVEMBER 2015
09:30 –11:30 | PANEL SESSION
Tying it all Together and Putting Words into Action
This panel will help attendees understand how the information presented during the Forum can be turned into results in the real world. There will be an interactive review with air transport and development experts who will address questions and specific challenges posted by the attendees during the first two days through the event app.
Co-moderators:
Mr. Willem Goeiemann, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Work and Transport, Namibia
Panelists:
11:30 – 12:00 | COFFEE BREAK – SPONSORED BY PERMANENT MISSION OF BURKINA FASO
12:00 – 12:30 | FORUM SUMMARY AND CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Fang Liu, ICAO Secretary General
END FORUM
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