Throughout a recent mission to the Bahamas, the President of the ICAO Council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, emphasized the importance of the impressive progress that Caribbean States have achieved in developing their civil aviation systems, in particular in terms of the priorities set forth under ICAO’s No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative.
The President made his remarks at a special meeting of Caribbean States that took place on the side-lines of ICAO’s Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN2016), and at a series of bilateral meetings he undertook, including with the Bahamas’ Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Prime Minister, His Excellency, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, and Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin.
Recognizing that the region has witnessed a 300 per cent increase in the number of airports undergoing certification, a 20 per cent increase in effective implementation of security standards in four States, and a further 120 per cent increase in the resolution of a number of urgent air navigation deficiencies, President Aliu repeatedly stressed ICAO’s appreciation of the efforts and dedication of the governments and technical experts who have been instrumental to recent regional success. He also highlighted the fact that within the first year of the NCLB implementation, no fewer than three countries achieved the 80 per cent or higher regional safety target for the effective implementation of ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
“These impressive achievements are made possible by your commitments, your cooperation, and by your close collaboration with ICAO’s NACC Regional Office. I am very much looking forward to this trend continuing in 2017 and that high performing NACC States will be eager to share their best practices and lessons learned with their neighbouring States, and especially those Caribbean States and Territories which will be given greater focus next year,” he remarked at the special meeting.
Noting that the Bahamas was well positioned to support its regional neighbours as improvements continue, President Aliu also thanked the Governor General and the Prime Minister for the country’s hosting of ICAN 2016.
The President’s mission to the Bahamas took place from 5 to 9 December 2016.
