ICAO HQ, Montréal, 23 March 2020 – The ICAO Council is urging States, international organizations and financial institutions to consider the critical importance of civil aviation to the recovery of the worldwide economy after COVID-19, declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In recalling the UN Secretary General, António Guterres’ remarks, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano reiterated that “We are facing a global health crisis unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations. Secretary General Guterres underlined that after tackling the health emergency, we must focus on the social impact and the economic response and recovery, adding that creativity of the response must match the unique nature of the crisis.”
“Similarly, the Leaders of the Group of Seven acknowledged that COVID-19 poses major risks for the world economy and committed themselves to address the economic impact of the outbreak,” President Sciacchitano highlighted.
The President noted that the global response must consider the role of international air transport as a worldwide enabler in current times of crisis, through vital air cargo services supporting the global supply chains, rescue of stranded passengers, as well as timely emergency and humanitarian response capabilities.
He stressed that “maintaining the financial and functional operability of the global aviation system is a matter of urgency in order to establish a path towards a recovery from the economic hardships caused by COVID-19.”
“Worldwide air transport connectivity stimulates economies through employment, trade and tourism, and supports States in achieving the Agenda 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” President Sciacchitano explained.
“The Council of ICAO is calling on States and financial institutions to examine the best means of supporting sectoral stakeholders, airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers, without prejudice to fair competition and by ensuring transparency.
Only by implementing, on an urgent basis, efficient public policies and strategies in the aviation sector will a recovery of the worldwide economy after the pandemic be more easily achieved,” concluded President Sciacchitano.
Resources for Editors
The ICAO Council
ICAO’s COVID-19 website
About ICAO
A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection, amongst many other priorities. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 193 Member States, and helps them to share their skies to their mutual benefit.
About the ICAO Council
The ICAO Council is a permanent body of the Organization responsible to the Assembly. It is composed of 36 Member States elected by the Assembly for a three-year term. The Council has numerous functions, notable among which are to submit annual reports to the Assembly, carry out the directions of the Assembly, and discharge the duties and obligations which are laid on it by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago,1944). As one of the two governing bodies of ICAO, the Council gives continuing direction to the work of ICAO. In this regard, one of its major duties is to adopt international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and to incorporate these as Annexes to the Chicago Convention. The Council may also amend existing Annexes as necessary. On occasion, the Council may act as an arbiter between Member States on matters concerning aviation and the implementation of the provisions of the Convention. It may investigate any situation which presents avoidable obstacles to the development of international air navigation and, in general, it may take necessary steps to maintain the safety and regularity of international air transport.
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