With a focus on global cooperation around aviation and environmental protection priorities, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano’s mission to Japan, which took place from 27 May to 2 June 2023, encompassed bilateral meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan’s State Minister, Shunsuke Takei (pictured on the left with President Sciacchitano), Vice-Minister, Masatoshi Akimoto; and Deputy Director-General for Global Issues, Keiichi Hara.
In addition to regional and global aviation safety and security concerns, the leaders exchanged views on sustainable aviation fuel initiatives, notably within the context of achieving the long-term goal of decarbonization of aviation decided at the 41st session of the ICAO Assembly.
The upcoming Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) Steering Group Meeting, to be held in Takamatsu in October this year, was also highlighted in this vein.
The mission also featured advocacy and cooperation on similar themes with the leadership of Japanese airline and airport operators. Mr. Sciacchitano’s discussions with the CEOs of Japan Airlines, ANA Airlines, Haneda Airport, and Narita International Airport – Messrs. Yuji Akasaka, Koji Shibata, Isao Takashiro, Akihiko Tamura, respectively – reflected ICAO’s commitment to assuring mutually beneficial cooperation across the aviation value chain towards achieving global air transport sector’s priorities. He additionally gave a lecture to Sophia University students.