GCAA hosts first meeting of the Directors General of Civil Aviation, Middle East region

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that it will be hosting, in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the first meeting of the Directors General of Civil Aviation in the Middle East Region. The meeting will be held in Abu Dhabi between 22-24 March with the participation of many directors general of civil aviation authorities in the Middle East and international civil aviation organizations. 

Initiated by the UAE and held for the first time, the meeting aims at highlighting a number of issues in relation to the development of civil aviation in the Middle East, including safety. The meeting will be provided with information on the results of the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), the Safety Management System (SMS) and the State Safety Programme (SSP). The meeting will be guided through the seven strategic focus areas under the new aviation security strategy known as the ICAO Comprehensive Aviation Security Strategy (ICASS), and will address other aviation security issues, as appropriate. 

H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, GCAA stated that: “The first meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation in the Middle East is unique as it offers the participants an opportunity to discuss any subject pertaining to civil aviation. It will also open frank discussions and facilitate and foster bilateral and regional cooperation in areas of common interest. ” 

“In addition, the meeting aims at enhancing coordination between civil aviation activities in the region, developing activities of common interest for states in the region, and providing an opportunity for creating more harmony in the implementation of civil aviation standards and procedures.” He added. 

The meeting will also address air navigation issues. It will be presented with a summary of the outcome of the twelfth meeting of the Middle East Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (MIDANPRIG), and is expected to agree on actions to increase the efficiency of MIDANPRIG and improve air navigation safety and efficiency in the Middle East region. In terms of the environment, the meeting will be briefed on the ICAO Environmental Activities and the outcome of the 37th session of ICAO General Assembly related to Environmental protection, and will address other environmental issues as appropriate. 

The meeting will address other Civil Aviation subjects of interest, such as air transport and technical and regional cooperation. Finally, the meeting will elect a Chairperson, discuss managerial issues, agree on the date, venue and provisional agenda of the next meeting, and deal with matters which may arise but are not covered by the agenda.