There is a lot of excitement in the civil aviation sector as anticipation builds for the 3rd Global Implementation Support Symposium that will take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from 30 April to 2 May 2024. Throughout this event, which is generously hosted by the Instituto Dominicano de Aviación Civil (IDAC), we will be highlighting the latest digital tools, initiatives, and collaborative efforts that support aviation’s resilience. Our goal is to foster innovation, promote sustainable development, and provide operational solutions.
As we gather in the Dominican Republic to shape the future of aviation, we recognize how important resource optimization, continuous learning, and talent retention are. Interactive panels will focus on pivotal implementation support activities. These range from the development of modernized airport infrastructures capable of accommodating higher levels of passenger traffic while maintaining stringent safety standards and sustainability objectives, to optimizing efficient operations. We’re also going to focus on how we nurture a skilled and adaptable workforce that is capable of mastering evolving technologies.
Dedicated panel sessions on training will explore the significance of continuous learning and emerging technologies in driving effective capacity projects. We are going to discuss ICAO’s proposed Finvest Hub that addresses the need for greater partnerships and increased engagement between the aviation industry and financial institutions to achieve the goal of decarbonizing aviation by 2050. At this event we are going to explore the impact of air transport on tourism growth. There will be plenty of dedicated networking opportunities, make sure to check the GISS website for updates and registration information. The deadline to register for the event has been extended till April 15th to allow participants to book their accomodations through the event website to secure the reduced rate. We’re sharing a comprehensive list of the panel topics that are covering many of ICAO’s priority focus areas, below.
- Safely Integrating Advanced Air Mobility into Existing Aviation Frameworks: his panel discussion will bring together leaders at the forefront of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology, alongside regulatory experts paving the path for the safe integration of AAM into existing aviation frameworks and beyond. The panelists will discuss topics, such as infrastructure requirements for vertiports and landing sites, airspace management considerations, certification and safety standards for electric and autonomous aircraft. They will share insights and perspectives on the opportunities that AAM presents, coupled with the safety challenges of this changing aviation landscape.
- Building a Resilient Aviation System in the Face of Crises:To blindly pursue a vision of sustainable growth in the global civil aviation system without adequate preparedness for serious, irregular, yet reasonably predictable disasters can result in failure, particularly at critical junctures. Administrations can and have fallen in the aftermath of crises due to perceived unpreparedness. The High-Level Conference on COVID-19 (HLCC) in 2021 underscored the need to enhance crisis management capacity at the organizational level, fostering a more coordinated and integrated response, irrespective of the crisis’s nature. This panel discussion will examine whether the lessons learned from our collective COVID experience have been applied or if complacency or prioritization of other pressing matters since 2019 has taken hold.
- Exploring Air Transport’s Impact on Tourism Growth: This panel session will explore how enhanced connectivity through air travel not only drives tourism but also bolsters socio-economic growth. Discussions will highlight effective capacity development strategies to maximize the positive impact of air transport on local and global tourism sectors, underscoring the importance of fostering adaptability and innovation within the industry for sustainable growth. Participants will gain valuable insights into leveraging the relationship between air travel and tourism for a thriving global tourism sector.
- Measuring Impacts of Emerging Technologies in Aviation Training: This panel session will focus on the practical application of emerging technologies in aviation training and explores the impact on traditional training systems and methodologies. Panelists will highlight the successful integration of virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence into training programmes, and how these innovations have bolstered the competencies of aviation professionals, preparing them more effectively for their roles in the industry. Furthermore, the session will tackle the challenges encountered during these transformations and the lessons learned, providing insights into future implementations and their potential to further influence aviation training.
- Future-Ready Aviation Workforce – Embracing Mobility and Agility: Personnel shortages in aviation have been a growing concern in recent years, posing significant challenges for the industry. To tackle this challenge effectively, aviation professionals, regulatory bodies, and training institutions are looking at the role of competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) in developing a skilled and mobile workforce. This panel discussion will address the importance of CBTA in addressing the personnel shortage issue, its impact on the aviation industry, and the collaborative efforts required to ensure a mobile and competent workforce for the future.
- Building the Future of Airports – Innovation and Sustainability: This panel session will explore innovations in airport development and infrastructure, underscoring the need for States to establish a comprehensive master plan for guiding future development in a logical, sustainable, and efficient manner. The overarching goal of this session is to bring together key stakeholders from the global civil aviation community to deliberate on innovative approaches necessary to advance aviation and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Panelists will share key strategies for the effective implementation of solutions within the aviation sector. Discussions will also extend to their role in modernizing the aviation system and overcoming current challenges to ensure long-term sustainability.
- A Deep Dive into the Strategic Architecture of ICAO’s Finvest Hub: Join us for an exclusive 1-to-1 session into the strategic architecture of Finvest Hub. This deep-dive conversation will zero in on the structured framework and modalities integral to ICAO’s Finvest Hub. This session will also explore the multifaceted aspects, highlighting the pivotal role of technical assistance and capacity building in laying the groundwork for sustainable aviation financing. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how the Finvest Hub can act as a facilitator to connect ideas and strategies with tangible sustainable aviation projects.
- Operationalizing the ICAO Finvest Hub for Green Skies: This panel session will take a closer look at the operationalization and implementation of Finvest Hub, with a focus on its commercial approach to enhance capacity in aviation decarbonization financing. The session will navigate beyond the political complexities to unveil key strategies, ranging from forging strategic alliances with financial institutions, development banks and industry stakeholders, to aligning policies with governments, and navigating global climate finance mechanisms for optimized funding opportunities. Attendees will gain insights into the implementation of the Finvest Hub, covering aspects such as investor matchmaking, knowledge sharing, and targeted outreach activities tailored to enhance engagement.