United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
ICAO contributed to the thematic reviews of the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF), held from 6 to 15 July 2021 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). ICAO also organized a side event on the margins of the HLPF to highlight the importance of a sustainable and resilient restart and recovery of civil aviation for the recovery of the global economy and the expansion of trade and tourism. The side event provided an opportunity to reflect on how aviation interconnected with and supported other industries, as well as the importance of restoring air connectivity for the recovery of many sectors of the economy. ICAO also showcased how common objectives could be achieved through the leveraging of synergies and coordination of efforts across sectors, and by identifying vulnerabilities, recognizing opportunities for developing resilience, and addressing challenges in reconnecting the world and “building back better” during the Decade of Action.
In 2021, ICAO continued to forge new collaborative relationships and strengthen existing partnerships, in particular with other United Nations entities, in support of ICAO’s Strategic Objectives and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To that end, ICAO and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) signed a new memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration across all Strategic Objectives. Similarly, recalling their commitment to sustainable development and the attainment of the SDGs, ICAO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an agreement aimed at strengthening collaboration in areas of common interest, in particular women and aviation, decent and sustainable work in aviation, and data collection. In the same vein, ICAO entered into a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that aims to enhance collaboration in various technical and programmatic areas, specifically with respect to unmanned aircraft systems.
