The Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for the Asia and Pacific Regions is an annual meeting of aviation authorities from the region to discuss issues like safety, security, and sustainability. DGCA/60 concluded successfully in Sendai, Japan, from 28 July to 1 August 2025, hosted by the Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan.
Held under the theme “The Sustainable Skies of the Asia-Pacific Region: Towards Increased Economic Prosperity and Social Well-Being by Air Transport of People and Goods in the Region,” the five-day conference brought together over 400 participants, including representatives from 35 States and Administrations, 12 International Organizations, 16 exhibitors, and 14 sponsors.
The conference opened with remarks from His Excellency Mr. Nakano Hiromasa, Minister of MLIT, who emphasized the region’s rapid aviation growth, with air traffic expected to double by 2043. Ms. Nakayama Rieko, Director-General for International Aviation at JCAB, addressed the challenges of safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
ICAO Secretary-General Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar called for consistent safety standards across the region, noting a 67% effective implementation score. He also highlighted the importance of environmental initiatives such as CORSIA and the role of aviation in economic development.
The opening ceremony featured a traditional Kagura-style dance, adding a cultural dimension to the proceedings.
The conference adopted 59 action items from 100 discussion papers, covering key topics such as:
- GNSS radio frequency interference (RFI) mitigation
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration into ICAO’s Global Air Navigation Plan
- Human resource development through ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation Support (CDIS) services, including iPACKs and Training Needs Assessments
- Environmental sustainability aligned with ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goals (LTAG)
Japan’s demonstration of its tsunami alert system provided valuable insights into aviation emergency preparedness.
A special appreciation ceremony honored Dr. Manjit Singh, ICAO APAC Deputy Regional Director, upon his retirement, recognizing his years of dedicated service to regional aviation safety and cooperation.
The ICAO flag was ceremoniously handed over to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), host of the upcoming 61st DGCA Conference in 2026. CAAM reaffirmed its commitment to regional collaboration and announced a USD 500,000 contribution to the APAC Capacity Development Initiative.
Mr. TERADA Yoshimichi, Vice-Minister for Transport, Tourism and International Affairs, delivered the official closing remarks, followed by a highlight video celebrating the conference’s achievements. Mr. Tao Ma, ICAO APAC Regional Director, closed the event by urging States and Administrations to intensify sustainable aviation efforts and report progress ahead of DGCA/61.