MONTRÉAL, 25 NOVEMBER 2015 – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) convened the first-ever World Aviation Forum (IWAF): Aviation Partnerships for Sustainable Development, from 23 to 25 November 2015 in Montréal. The IWAF was attended by over 800 participants representing ICAO Member States, international organizations, financial institutions and the industry sector.

IWAF participants came together to help maximize opportunities for enhancing global aviation.

They strongly supported the Organization’s No Country Left Behind (NCLB) campaign to assist States in implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

IWAF participants indicated their strong belief that NCLB will help to better identify and coordinate assistance to States in need so that they may foster sustainable local and regional prosperity and fully benefit from improved global connectivity. A safe, secure and sustainable global aviation system, based on the effective implementation of global standards and policies, provides the nations of the world with efficient access to the global market.

IWAF participants emphasized that the aviation system has a significant impact on the economic development and growth; it impacts tourism and trade, and generates other economic benefits which help eradicate poverty, create jobs and mobilize resources. They highlighted, however, that despite its economic significance, the aviation system receives limited funds to support its development.

IWAF participants acknowledged that in order to provide more effective support to aviation development, substantial financial and partnership assistance is required.

Mindful of these points, IWAF participants:

1) Recognized that all States should effectively implement ICAO global aviation standards and policies so that all States have safe, secure and reliable aviation systems which support sustainable development and socio-economic prosperity, and which ultimately help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world.

2) Acknowledged the need to increase the level of funding and investment for the implementation of global aviation standards and policies.

3) Promoted the important role of aviation to stimulate employment, trade, tourism and other areas of economic development at the national, regional and international levels.

4) Highlighted the important role that aviation plays in disaster response and public health emergencies.

5) Acknowledged the need to identify areas of coordinated assistance to improve air connectivity.

6) Welcomed the commitment by:

i. States to include aviation in their national development plans and to position aviation as a strategic priority for the development of the country;

ii. International and regional organizations to work closely with ICAO to ensure that a safe, secure and sustainable global aviation system is part of the global development framework;

iii. Financial institutions to support ICAO’s role as a facilitator of aviation development for mobilizing resources for infrastructure, capacity development and essential service needs; and

iv. Industry to incentivize the implementation of global aviation standards and policies.

7) Encouraged ICAO Member States, international and regional organizations, and financial institutions to apply ICAO tools and services to assist in identifying the deficiencies in aviation, implementing NCLB projects and programmes, mapping solutions, developing business cases, and finding potential donors and investors.

8) Welcomed the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and emphasized that ICAO’s current Strategic Objectives are strongly linked to 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

9) Recognized the services provided by aviation’s regional structure that are related to aviation development.

10) Encouraged ICAO to establish an aviation development network in support of meeting all ICAO Strategic Objectives.

11) Supported the commitment by States, international and regional organizations, and financial institutions to include aviation in the agenda of relevant meetings of the international development community.

12) Recommended maintaining the focus of the community on the global contribution and value of aviation through support of NCLB efforts and future ICAO World Aviation Forums.

Source: ICAO