President Muhammadu Buhari, will on 22nd flag off the 2017 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), World Aviation Forum
in Abuja, which seeks to address the existing financial challenges facing aviation infrastructure and capacity development in member states.
In a statement signed on Wednesday on behalf of the Minister, Mr. Hadi Sirika, by Mr. James Odaudu, the Deputy Director in the ministry said the conference will be the first to be held outside of ICAO’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
Sirika said the hosting of the forum by the country, coming so soon after it hosted the ICAO Symposium on remotely piloted aircraft systems is a clear indication of the confidence the Buhari administration has elicited within the sector and an endorsement by the world body of its reform programmes for the nation’s aviation industry.
The third ICAO WAF which is intended to explore the benefits of the aviation sector to social, economic development and prosperity of member states, is aimed at top-ranking government officials in charge of aviation, transport and infrastructure, finance, economy and tourism; and key industry and financial partners.
The according to the minister is also expected to discuss, identify needs, and facilitate the funding and financing required to accelerate the implementation of international civil aviation standards and policies, as well as global plans for aviation, in support of the ICAO No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative.
Among the objectives of the forum holding in Abuja would be the establishment and alignment of infrastructure programmes and plans that are consistent with the ICAO global strategic plans for aviation like the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and the Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), and also to stimulate common and interoperable air transport systems leading to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
He said: “On the benefits of the forum, Sirika, says it is expected to build on the outcomes of the two previous ICAO World Aviation Forums (IWAF/1 and IWAF/2) held in November 2015 and September 2016 respectively.” END