Abu Dhabi to be host venue for first meeting of region's civil aviation directors general

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) working in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO instigated the meeting which will take place from 22-24 March.

The meeting will focus on issues such as development of civil aviation in the Middle East, including safety covering 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.