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.
Building on recent progress
Aviation safety evolution: 2021–2025
According to our most recent data, 2023 was the safest year for commercial aviation in the past five years, with a global accident rate of just 1.87 per million departures—a 17.9% drop from 2022. Only one fatal accident occurred in 2023, down from seven the year before. These results show the real-world impact of strong safety systems and continuous improvement.
This progress was guided by our Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP), which supported States in reducing operational risks, enhancing infrastructure, and strengthening Safety Management Systems (SMS). By 2023, our Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) had assessed 97% of our Member States, with the global average Effective Implementation of safety oversight systems reaching 69.5%.
ICAO also supported the aviation sector’s safe restart following the COVID-19 pandemic through the Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART), and continued to strengthen State Safety Programmes throughout the recovery period.
Elevating aviation security through global action
ICAO’s aviation security efforts have scaled significantly in recent years, anchored in the second edition of the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP), adopted by the ICAO Council in June 2024. This updated GASeP focuses on proactive risk management, cybersecurity, and fostering strong security cultures across the global aviation community.
Through the Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP), ICAO works with States to assess and enhance implementation of Annex 17 standards, reduce Significant Security Concerns (SSeCs), and evolve oversight mechanisms to be more risk-based and data-driven.
To turn strategy into results, ICAO has intensified support and capacity-building in aviation security. Last year alone:
- 605 aviation security specialists from 103 States benefitted from ICAO-sponsored training courses and workshops.
- An additional 5,950 participants from 90 States participated in ICAO regional and ASTC-supported training.
- 108 aviation security assistance activities were delivered, reaching 1,595 specialists from 85 States—a 35% increase from 2023.
- 13 States engaged in long-term, tailored Aviation Security Improvement Plans (ASIPs) to build institutional capacity.
- ICAO maintains a global network of 35 active Aviation Security Training Centres (ASTCs) and over 400 certified instructors provided by 107 Member States and industry.
Supporting States through partnerships
ICAO continues to work with global and regional organizations to strengthen aviation security capacity. This includes cooperation with:
- UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) through the Threat Assessment Models (TAM) Programme;
- UNODC and the World Customs Organization to deliver Air Cargo and Mail Security training;
- Concordia University to deliver the AVSEC Professional Management Course, completed by 33 participants in 2024.
Fostering a strong security culture
Following the global momentum generated by the Year of Security Culture, ICAO continues to provide training, workshops, and customizable tools to help States implement long-term security culture strategies. These resources—available here, in all ICAO languages—include:
- Interactive e-learning modules;
- Short films and training materials;
- Toolkits for insider threat prevention and campaign planning
Capacity‑Building Through Implementation Support
All of the progress in aviation safety and security is anchored by practical implementation support. Since 2020, we’ve delivered more than 200 Implementation Packages (iPacks) to over 100 States—providing targeted guidance and tools that help translate ICAO Standards into real-world action.
Some of the most popular safety‑related iPacks include:
- National Aviation Safety Plan (development and implementation) – Helping Civil Aviation Authorities build or operationalize comprehensive national safety strategies using ICAO’s State Safety Program (SSP) framework.
- Prepare for a USOAP Audit – Supporting States in preparing for safety oversight assessments and enhancing preparedness.
- Accident/Incident Data Reporting (ADREP) – Enabling States to establish or strengthen systems for safety data collection and risk monitoring.
Security‑related iPacks provide similar implementation support on crucial topics, such as:
- Aviation Security Oversight – A comprehensive package guiding Appropriate Authorities in building their security oversight frameworks in line with Annex 17 and GASeP priorities.
- Other facilitation and security tools, like Model Regulations and capacity-building packages, tailored to standardize state-level security processes are found here.
These iPacks underscore how ICAO isn’t just setting standards—we are delivering concrete, operational support to help countries implement them effectively.
Looking ahead: 2025–2028 and beyond
In the next triennium, we’ll update the Global Aviation Safety Plan to set new safety targets, including full implementation of State Safety Programmes by 2028. Our USOAP framework will evolve into a more data-driven, risk-based system, improving oversight effectiveness through more integrated assessments.
On the security side, the updated GASeP will guide efforts in cybersecurity, advanced air mobility integration, and emerging threat management. The USAP will also expand its continuous monitoring and apply a more targeted, risk-prioritized audit model.
Considerable work is ongoing at ICAO to facilitate the safe development of unmanned aviation and advanced air mobility (AAM) across the regions. The RPAS Panel is developing provisions to enable the certified category of unmanned aircraft operations, namely internationally operated remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), primarily under instrument flight rules (IFR), in controlled airspace and at controlled aerodromes.
Regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) other than RPAS, ICAO has developed the ICAO Model UAS Regulations and companion Advisory Circulars (ACs). These offer a template for Member States to implement or to supplement their existing UAS regulations. These regulations and ACs are intended to be a living document and will evolve as the industry matures, providing States and regulators with internationally harmonized material based on the latest developments. They can be accessed for free here.
In the field of advanced air mobility (AAM), ICAO’s advanced air mobility study group (AAM SG) is tasked, inter alia, with developing a holistic framework and vision related to AAM, identifying potential gaps in ICAO provisions, and serving as a focal point for ICAO AAM-related work to ensure global interoperability and harmonization.
A Call to Action was announced during ICAO’s first Advanced Air Mobility Symposium (AAM 2024). The event focused on key AAM concepts, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, vertiports, automation, trust frameworks and airspace integration, highlighting ICAO’s vision for AAM developments, structured around 3 key activities: (i) Understanding AAM; (ii) Building the AAM ecosystem; (iii) Governing, regulating AAM. The Call to Action is available here.
We’ll also launch new iPacks focused on areas such as GNSS interference, and cyber resilience, ensuring that all States—regardless of capacity—can keep pace with global aviation advancements.
Working toward zero fatalities, together
Our goal is clear: an aviation system with zero fatalities from accidents or acts of unlawful interference. Through stronger oversight, smarter innovation, and more inclusive cooperation, we’re working every day to make this goal a reality.
Together with our Member States and partners, we are building a safer, more secure future for everyone who flies. Make sure to watch our ICAO Explained video series on ICAO TV, where we break down key areas of ICAO’s work in an accessible way for all audiences. Learn more about how we support Member States so that they can strengthen global aviation safety and security:
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:
Aviation is Environmentally Sustainable: Decarbonizing Air Transport Together.
The ICAO 2026-2050 Strategic Plan is shared below.