In this “ICAO Strategic Goals Explained” article series, we’re exploring the six Strategic Goals that will guide our global aviation vision through 2050. These goals reflect our commitment to a safe, secure, sustainable, and inclusive air transport system—one that connects the world and leaves no one behind.
A cornerstone of that vision is our Strategic Goal to ensure that every flight is safe and secure. Under the banner Safe Skies, Sustainable Future, our 2026–2050 Strategic Plan sets a bold aspiration: zero fatalities from aircraft accidents and acts of unlawful interference. It’s an ambitious goal—but one we are actively pursuing through enhanced planning, global partnerships, and innovation.
No country left behind is a core principle that guides the Organization’s long-term vision. Under this strategic goal, ICAO pledges to significantly enhance global cooperation, capacity-building, and targeted support, making sure aviation growth is equitable and sustainable for all countries.
Addressing emerging challenges
The NCLB goal expands ICAO’s mission to include not only safety and security, but additional areas critical to the future of aviation, such as sustainability, digital transformation,and technological innovation.
The Strategic Plan emphasizes providing assistance to developing States to adopt and implement advanced aviation technologies, ensuring that innovation-driven developments in air transport do not widen global gaps but close them.We understand that while each State faces unique challenges, many share common concerns. Our role is to help prioritize and plan effectively, whether building capacity or implementing new standards.
Capacity-building at its core
ICAO’s Strategic Plan highlights capacity-building as fundamental to the the organization’s activities. Initiatives such as the Global Aviation Training (GAT) programme, the Aviation Safety Implementation Assistance Partnership (ASIAP), and targeted Implementation Packages (iPacks) will continue to grow, enabling States to achieve significant improvements in compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
ICAO plans to ramp up its support through innovative partnerships with industry stakeholders, training institutions, and donor States. Recent successes, such as collaborative training programs with Emirates Airline, demonstrate ICAO’s commitment to practical, results-oriented partnerships that provide tailored, accessible resources for developing countries.
A collaborative, global commitment
An essential part of ICAO’s approach under the new Strategic Plan is strengthening partnerships across the international aviation community. By fostering close cooperation with donor States, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and regional aviation bodies, ICAO ensures that resources, expertise, and funding effectively reach the countries that need them most.
ICAO’s partnerships with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea showcase how collaborative frameworks can accelerate aviation development through shared resources and targeted technical support. Such partnerships are crucial to enhancing the safety, security, and sustainability of aviation systems globally.
Leveraging digital transformation for equity
Recognizing that technology will increasingly shape aviation’s future, ICAO’s NCLB strategic goal prioritizes equitable access to digital innovation. ICAO will actively support States in adopting transformative technologies such as satellite-based navigation, advanced air traffic management systems, unmanned aircraft systems integration, and digital passenger facilitation solutions. By ensuring these advancements are accessible, ICAO aims to bridge the digital divide, allowing all countries—irrespective of their resources—to participate fully in a modernized global aviation system.
As aviation enters a new period of transformation, ICAO’s strengthened commitment to the NCLB goal ensures that no country will navigate this future alone. By 2050, ICAO envisions an international aviation network characterized by equitable opportunities, universal compliance with international standards, and shared progress in innovation and sustainability.
This topic is also featured in our ICAO Explained video series, which explains ICAO’s work in aviation topics to a general audience. Watch this episode to see how aviation contributes to prosperity around the world.
This article is part of our ongoing series, “ICAO’s Strategic Goals Explained,” which explores the six goals guiding our work through 2050. Up next:
Ensuring Every Flight is Safe and Secure.
The ICAO 2026-2050 Strategic Plan is shared below.