Symposium on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families

participation. In conjunction with the Host State, ICAO is to review all participant requests received through

the ICAO online registration system in regard to in-person attendance and will be advised through the online registration system.

The Symposium on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families, hosted by the Government

of Spain, will provide an overview of the regulatory framework related to the Symposium topic, as provided

by Annex 9 — Facilitation and Annex 13 — Aircraft accident and incident investigation. Besides, as

adopted by the 38th Session of the Assembly (A38), Resolution A38-1 recognized the need to provide

assistance to victims and their families and urged States to “establish legislation, regulations and/or policies

to support victims of civil aviation accidents and their family members”.

In 2013, the ICAO Council approved the ICAO Policy on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and

their Families which was published in Doc 9998 with the associated guidance material Doc 9973, Manual

on Assistance to Aircraft Accident Victims and their Families, aimed at assisting States in implementing

this policy.

The Symposium provides an opportunity to enhance international cooperation on the successful

implementation of practical and achievable measures in several areas. It will notably enable sharing

experience and best practices in both communication of sensitive information on aircraft accidents and in

management of compensation by insurance companies, as well as defining the way forward for short and

long-term strategies.

The Symposium will also present a unique opportunity to exchange information and enhance expertise and

would be of benefit for States and their relevant national authorities, aircraft and airports operators,

insurance companies, communication media, and other relevant stakeholders.