Strategic Pillar 5: Good Governance

To strengthen the Governance pillar, the adoption and implementation of international best practices in public management can lead to significant improvements. This involves ensuring governance structures that uphold the independence of regulators, prevent undue influence to preserve institutional trust, and enhance accountability and transparency.

Regional Challenges and Aspirations

Challenges faced by some CAAs include unplanned turnover among authorities, which can hinder policy continuity, and gaps in human resource planning. Updating regulatory frameworks and modernizing legal structures are key priorities. Aspirations aim to build governance frameworks that promote institutional autonomy, ensure leadership continuity beyond political cycles, foster transparency, and adopt advanced tools to enhance governance processes and the sector's ability to adapt to global demands.

This guideline aims to establish updated legal frameworks that strengthen Civil Aviation Authorities and promote robust governance. Laws supporting the mandate cycle of senior officials, clearly outlining responsibilities, and reinforcing policy continuity are essential to mitigate the impact of political transitions. Leveraging regional harmonization and best practices will support a streamlined approach to regulatory responsibilities and enhance compliance.

To fulfill their functions, CAAs should have a clear mandate, be protected from undue influence, maintain technical independence, ensure accountability, engage effectively with stakeholders, secure adequate funding, and continuously assess performance. This guideline aims to promote and support the implementation of best practices, such as e-governance tools for licensing, certification, and surveillance.

Robust oversight frameworks ensure compliance with international standards, minimize risks, and foster proactive safety and security cultures. Strengthening governance and risk management enhances operational resilience. By improving coordination between authorities and industry, the Region can address emerging threats, reduce vulnerabilities, and align with ICAO's global objectives, while also ensuring comprehensive assistance for aircraft accident victims and their families.