“Ensuring that our global network maintains its outstanding safety and efficiency metrics is the best way to assure that modern air services continue to be invaluable to global trade flows and the many industries and sectors which rely on aircraft to get their products from A to B.” highlighted Dr. Liu.
Worldwide, modern air transport is essential for enabling global connectivity. In terms of direct and indirect impacts it supports over 58 million jobs and generates more than $2.4 trillion in economic activity. Last year, planes transported only half of one per cent of the total volume of goods traded internationally, however this small volume also translated into 35 per cent of the total value of all goods shipped via all transport solutions.
Recognizing the scale of air transport’s economic contributions, as well as the UN’s long-term objectives, Dr. Liu stressed to the IATA Symposium audience that “ICAO is working with great determination across all platforms to help assure broader social economic prosperity for all through the effective implementation of ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for all the Member States in the world, and the value of air cargo trade offers a fantastic opportunity to facilitate economic and social development.”
Dr. Liu also pointed to ICAO’s ongoing No Country Left Behind initiative, noting that it seeks to ensure every State has the assistance and capacity-building required to effectively implement ICAO standards and policies. “In so doing, these same States and Regions can then begin to realize aviation’s global connectivity benefits, and its extensive socio-economic impacts,” she added.
Dr. Liu raised the point that liberalization can greatly mitigate fragmentation impacts, pointing to the successes being seen today in the European and ASEAN air transport markets. She also emphasized that screening procedures can be streamlined without adversely affecting already-strong security levels, and the need for infrastructure modernization across the board.
“The full benefits of air cargo transport cannot be achieved without the modernization and expansion of infrastructure, including intermodal integration and seamless airport facilities,” she commented. “Governments have remained the primary sources for related funding, but privatization and Public-Private Partnerships can also be useful options to consider.” In this regard, Dr. Liu urged States to include aviation in their national development plans as a strategic priority for sustainable State development.
Dr. Liu underscored the need for States to ratify the Montreal Convention of 1999 to facilitate the introduction of electronic cargo documentation and mentioned that ICAO would be driving further progress on all topics related to air cargo.
