Every three years, at ICAO we convene our General Assembly, our sovereign body and the most important decision-making forum for international civil aviation. We bring together our Member States and a wide range of international organizations to set global aviation policy for the next triennium.
During these Sessions, we review ICAO’s full work programme across the technical, economic, legal, and cooperation fields, with outcomes guiding the work of our Member States and ICAO’s other bodies, as prescribed in Article 49 of the Chicago Convention. Each State has one vote, with most decisions taken by majority.
We make these discussions more accessible than by sharing them for on-demand viewing on ICAO TV. The Agenda, schedule and order of business for the Assembly are shared here.
ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano laid out an ambitious vision for transforming global aviation to meet unprecedented growth and challenges ahead through his “State of Global Aviation” opening address to the organization’s 42nd Assembly.
“The world is watching, and future generations will live with the legacy we create here,” Sciacchitano told the more than 3,000 registered delegates gathered in Montréal. “A system currently built to serve 4.6 billion passengers will not accommodate three times that number, unless we ensure its transformation.”
Referring to our strategic plan for air transport, the Council President declared that “Through cooperation and consensus, zero fatalities is achievable, net-zero carbon emissions is achievable, and inclusive growth is achievable”.
He highlighted particular challenges around infrastructure gaps in developing nations, warning that “if these gaps are not addressed, growth will end up deepening differences, instead of reducing them.”
Mr. Sciacchitano urged the delegates to give ICAO a clear mandate to intervene decisively. “This Assembly must create constructive dialogue and adopt resolutions that allow ICAO to act. Our legacy will be measured by the decisions we make.”
The opening ceremony’s guests of honour (pictured above) were the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons of Canada, Honourable Steven MacKinnon; the Minister of International Relations and la Francophonie of Québec Mr. Christopher Skeete; and Ms. Ericka Alneus, member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montréal.
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar also addressed the delegates, highlighting that “this year’s Assembly serves as a crucial moment to shape the state of global aviation and drive real change for the benefit of all nations and people. ICAO is uniting the global aviation community around a shared commitment to a safe, secure and sustainable global aviation system that connects the world.”
The Assembly comes at a crucial time as aviation addresses emerging technologies like drones and commercial space flights, which are crucial to aviation’s transformation as it works to meet ICAO’s ambitious environmental and safety targets.
Taking place from 23 September to 3 October 2025, all of ICAO’s 193 Member States have been invited to attend the event, where they will pass decisive resolutions in support of the progress towards the organization’s strategic vision. Each Member State is entitled to one vote on matters before the Assembly, and decisions at these Sessions are taken by a majority of the votes cast – except where otherwise provided for in the Convention.
