Too often, conversations about aviation’s future happen without the input of those who will live it. During ICAO’s 2025 Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit, we brought together industry professionals, regulators, educators, and students to address aviation’s most pressing workforce challenges. The third session was unique in that we handed the microphone to young professionals and students, giving them space to share their aspirations, concerns, and ideas for shaping aviation’s future.
Session 3 stood out for its focus on the voices of young professionals themselves. Rather than speaking about youth, this panel created space for students and emerging leaders to speak for themselves, offering unfiltered perspectives on the opportunities and obstacles they face. Their candid reflections highlighted how the sector looks from their vantage point — not just as future employees, but as innovators, leaders, and change agents who are ready to shape aviation today.
Key insights from this session
Session three was moderated by Tolulope Agiri, Deputy Director of Human Resources, ICAO, she is pictured above in red, with panel members featured from left to right:
- Ren Tong, Student in Transportation, CAUC
- Goitse Diale, Vice Chairman, Aeroclub of South Africa
- Mahek Shah, Founder, Wings for Women
- Anna Fakira, IRP and ATPL Student, RMIT University
- Ireland Ayman, Student Pilot, RMIT University
- Ousman Ceesay, Flight Operations Officer, Gambia CAA
Together, they spoke openly about the need for early exposure to aviation careers, accessible training pathways, and visible role models to guide career development. Panelists described how limited resources in some regions prevent young people from pursuing aviation, and how greater mentorship and inclusion in decision-making could help close these gaps.
The audience witnessed a confident group of emerging professionals who spoke with conviction about their ambitions and ideas for innovation. Their interventions prompted light-hearted observations that the “future Directors General” were already sitting on stage — a testament to the readiness and determination of the next generation.
Highlights included:
The session emphasized that youth bring fresh ideas, adaptability, and the energy needed to help aviation navigate transformation. Speakers called for stronger mentorship programmes, equitable access to training across regions, and meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to aviation’s policy and innovation agendas. Above all, they underscored the principle of “no potential left behind” — reminding the sector that its future resilience depends on embracing youth voices today.
Calls to action
-
Promote early exposure to aviation careers through outreach, education, and community engagement.
-
Expand access to affordable, high-quality training, particularly in resource-limited settings.
-
Establish structured mentorship programmes linking youth with experienced professionals.
-
Create formal mechanisms for youth participation in aviation decision-making at national and international levels.
-
Ensure equitable access to aviation opportunities across all regions through targeted cooperation and support.
Why this matters
By elevating youth voices, Session 3 delivered one of the Summit’s most powerful reminders: the next generation is not just preparing to join aviation — they are ready to lead it. Their insights directly support ICAO’s NGAP Global Call to Action by reinforcing the importance of inclusion, equity, and mentorship in workforce strategies.
At the close of the session, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar presented certificates to the students from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University who had been competitively selected and fully sponsored to attend the NGAP Global Summit. After a short video highlighting their contributions, he commended the students for their passion, clarity of purpose, and commitment to the future of aviation.
The Secretary General emphasized that their presence was more than symbolic — it was an active contribution to the global conversation shaping the sector’s future. He praised them as exemplifying the spirit of NGAP: a diverse, driven, and future-ready community of young professionals. In his remarks, he reminded the students that they are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but they have already shown they have a voice in aviation today.
Watch the full recording of Session 3 on ICAO TV to hear these emerging leaders share their candid views on how to transform aviation into a sector that inspires, empowers, and retains its future workforce.