ICAO leaders affirm global aviation priorities with Canada

This week our Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano and Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar held important discussions on key civil aviation priorities with the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, and Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez.

Hosted by the Government of Canada in Ottawa, the President and Secretary General expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for Canada’s longstanding role as an ICAO founding member and outstanding host state of the Organization’s Montréal headquarters since its inception. They also thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for recognizing ICAO’s 80th anniversary this year which underscored the enduring impact of the 1944 Chicago Convention in upholding a rules-based international civil aviation order.

Looking ahead, the leaders agreed on the importance of close cooperation in preparing for the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly, to be hosted in Montréal in September 2025. President Sciacchitano and Secretary General Salazar expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Trudeau’s leadership and commitment to ICAO’s global mission.

In a separate meeting, Minister Joly, Minister Rodriguez, President Sciacchitano and Secretary General Salazar affirmed their joint commitment to ICAO’s crucial work on supporting the safe, secure and sustainable development of the international civil aviation sector. They agreed to closely collaborate in upholding the highest international standards while enhancing accessibility and environmental sustainability in aviation. The discussions were attended by Ms. Annick Goulet, Representative of Canada on the ICAO Council, and Mr. Michael Gill, ICAO’s Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations.

Responding to the climate emergency in particular, will require unprecedented levels of global cooperation and commitment. On December 7th this year we will be celebrating ICAO’s 80th anniversary.  The resounding success of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation that continues to govern this mission is one of our greatest achievements in the modern era.  Though today there are imposing challenges on international aviation, we have much to celebrate. Not just the many achievements of the past eight decades, but the ways we can advocate for the safe, secure, and sustainable development of aviation moving forward.

Our work in this industry provides access to those who need it most while ensuring that we do not compromise any strategic objectives. We have every reason to be optimistic. The political ambition exists and the pace of technological and operational innovation in the aviation sector is also rapidly increasing.