Singapore supports global progress on air navigation priorities

 

ICAO’s Air Navigation World – ATM Procedures for Today event, which was hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), has facilitated global implementation of mature air traffic management (ATM) procedures through focused knowledge sharing.

 

The event saw over 450 participants from 56 States, international organizations and industry convene in Singapore from 23 to 27 October 2023 to gather the resources and foster the cooperation needed to accelerate performance improvement.

 

Opening the event, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar noted that the occasion presented “an opportunity to greatly improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of the global air navigation system.” Mr. Salazar encouraged attending States to select and implement the procedures which would have the most significant impacts, recalling the global commitment to the long-term global aspirational goal for international civil aviation (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 made at the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly.

 

Of the many possibilities for ATM system improvement presented during the event, implementation of reduced separation minima in all phases of flight, supported by air traffic flow management, offer opportunities for significant global increases in efficiency in the near-to-medium term.

 

Bilateral meetings provided further opportunities to advance these priorities.

 

Mr. Salazar met with Singapore’s Permanent Secretary of Transport, Mr. Loh Ngai Seng and the CAAS’ Director General and Deputy Director General, Messrs. Han Kok Juan and Ng Tee Chiou, respectively.


On the sidelines of the event, and ahead of the upcoming Third Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) later this month, which will discuss a global framework and vision for cleaner energy, the CAAS organised an Aviation Sustainability Roundtable including Mr. Salazar, to discuss how the sector can ramp up financing and production of cleaner energy to reach ICAO’s global aspirational goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Panellists from the finance and energy sectors in Singapore shared their perspectives on how to support this important transition. Outcomes included the need to work collaboratively, early planning to allow for adequate resource mobilization, adopt science-based approaches, and to create standardisation to facilitate financing.


In addition to its hosting of this pivotal event, Singapore provided further support to ICAO’s efforts to enhance its services to States in these and other areas.

 

Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Acting Minister of Transport pledged Singapore’s voluntary contribution of $200,000 to ICAO, towards ICAO’s efforts to deliver on its Transformational Objective and cybersecurity programme.

 

A further pledge of $100,000 was received by Mr. Salazar from Mr. Han Kok Juan, at a special event for the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS). This commitment will support training or consultancy projects that the ICAO Pacific Liaison Officer will coordinate and manage  to deliver support to these States.

 

The event was attended by Ms Eileen Poh, Representative of Singapore on the ICAO Council, along with:

  •  the Cook Island’s Secretary of Transport, Mr.John Hosking;
  •  Fiji’s Civil Aviation Authority Chief Executive, Ms Theresa Maria Levestam;
  •  the Marshall Islands, represented by Ms Alice John of the Directorate of Civil Aviation;
  •  Micronesia’s Acting Minister of Transport, Mr.Glenn Harris;
  •  Kiribati’s Permanent Secretary of Transport, Mr.Mitateti Mote;
  •  Palau’s National Aviation Administrator, Mr.Lebuu Littler;
  •  the Papua New Guinea Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Board Director and CEO, Messrs. Taunao Vai and Benedict Oraka, respectively;
  •  Samoa’s Director General of Civil Aviation, Mr.Fui Tupai Mau Simanu;
  •  the Solomon Island’s Permanent Secretary for Aviation, Mr.Moses Virivolomo;
  •  and Tonga’s Acting Director of Civil Aviation, Mr.Sosaia Ma’ake.

 

During his mission, the Secretary General was accompanied by ICAO’s Air Navigation Director, Ms. Michele Merkle and ICAO’s Regional Director for the Asia Pacific Region, Mr. Tao Ma.

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