ICAO’s communication and advocacy efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic
ICAO addressed the Executive Committees (EC) and Deputies Committee (DC) of the United Nations to present the outcomes of the CART and the “Take-off” guidance document, which led to the decision of the Committees for ICAO to be invited to include a civil aviation perspective in the UN Secretary-General’s Policy Brief on COVID-19 and Transforming Tourism.
Public outreach over this period has seen news products and social media being developed and issued on every major action, forecast, and event on behalf of ICAO, whether in relation to COVID-19 coordination and response, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (PS752) and conflict zones, or any other relevant ICAO updates and achievements.
Extensive media support regarding COVID-19 was provided, including a CART press conference and video promotion, numerous releases and social media on topics such as its economic impacts, aircraft and airport health measures, and CORSIA baseline implications, and daily exchanges with journalists, academics, and others on ICAO and COVID-19 developments.
Social media engagement with all ICAO social media platforms continued to increase month-on-month, though at much slower rates than during non-pandemic times. Industry contraction and commensurately lower levels of youth interest in air transport careers is the most likely factor at play.
