From 20 to 22 April 2026, the Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS 2026) will bring the global aviation community together in Marrakech, Morocco. to focus on one essential question: how do we translate global aviation goals into measurable, on-the-ground results?
Cohosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, GISS 2026 will serve as a platform for States and aviation stakeholders to exchange practical solutions, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate implementation in line with ICAO’s No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative.
A global forum for practical implementation
GISS has become the ICAO flagship event dedicated to implementation support—moving beyond policy discussions to address the real-world challenges that States face in strengthening their aviation systems. The 2026 edition will continue this focus by creating space for collaboration across safety, security, sustainability, efficiency, and capacity-building. The Symposium is open to all relevant entities within States, including civil aviation authorities, ministries, international and regional organizations, service providers, financial and development institutions, training organizations, academia, and industry partners. By bringing these communities together, GISS fosters cross-sector dialogue that reflects the interconnected nature of modern aviation development.
Programme highlights: from strategy to delivery
The GISS 2026 programme is structured around high-level plenary sessions, thematic panels, and interactive discussions designed to showcase practical tools, financing mechanisms, and partnerships that support implementation.
Key areas of focus include:
- Strengthening global air connectivity as a driver of inclusive growth, examining how aviation integrates with broader transport, tourism, and trade systems, and how regional connectivity frameworks can be adapted and scaled to support economic opportunity.
-
Reimagining aviation safety and security in an era of rapid innovation, with candid discussions on the barriers to achieving zero fatalities, lessons learned from initiatives that fell short, and the practical steps needed to align technology, regulation, and human performance.
-
Mobilizing investment for aviation development, exploring how States can design bankable, resilient projects, avoid common financing pitfalls, and engage effectively with financial institutions to support capacity building and infrastructure development.
-
Building a more collaborative and responsive ICAO implementation support ecosystem, strengthening partnerships with development banks, regional organizations, and States to address root causes of safety and oversight challenges and deliver sustainable, long-term results.
-
Enhancing regional mechanisms for safety and security oversight, focusing on how ICAO provisions, risk-based approaches, and coordinated regional models can improve governance, efficiency, and accountability while avoiding duplication.
-
Delivering fit-for-purpose, climate-resilient airport infrastructure, with real-world case studies that highlight both successes and failures in planning, financing, and execution, particularly in emerging and developing markets.
-
Developing the next generation of aviation professionals, addressing workforce shortages through scalable education, training, and retention strategies that place people—skills, diversity, and inclusion—at the center of aviation’s future.
-
Turning No Country Left Behind commitments into action, culminating in a ministerial dialogue focused on concrete actions to strengthen States’ implementation capabilities and ensure equitable participation in the modernization of global air transport.
Through these sessions, participants will explore how ICAO programmes, State-led initiatives, and industry solutions can work together to deliver tangible outcomes.
Supporting the No Country Left Behind vision
At the heart of GISS 2026 is ICAO’s No Country Left Behind initiative, which aims to ensure that all Member States—regardless of size, resources, or level of development—can fully benefit from safe, secure, and sustainable aviation.
By spotlighting implementation support mechanisms, sharing best practices, and facilitating connections between States and partners, GISS 2026 reinforces ICAO’s commitment to equitable aviation development and long-term capacity building.
A platform for connection and collaboration
Beyond the formal programme, GISS 2026 will provide valuable opportunities for networking, partnership-building, and knowledge exchange. Participants will be able to engage directly with ICAO experts, development partners, industry leaders, and fellow States to explore tailored solutions and collaborative approaches.
