Asia-Pacific aviation leaders agree on landmark measures to improve safety, sustainability and accountability

Asia-Pacific aviation leaders agree on landmark measures to improve safety, sustainability and accountability  

34 States commit to framework for progress on aviation priorities 

An unprecedented framework for monitoring and reporting States’ progress on aviation safety, security, sustainability and capacity-building commitments has emerged from the most recent Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the Asia and Pacific Region.

In support of ICAO’s vision of air transport for all by 2050, with zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions, this framework will enable States to assess progress, identify challenges, and share expertise and resources.

Attended by ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma and Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, the week-long conference brought together DGCA from 34 States, and over 450 senior government officials, technical experts, and representatives from international organizations and industry. It opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 7 September 2026 and featured a side event focussed on partnerships around regional challenges, including issues impacting Small Island Developing States.

“To continue expanding, aviation needs the right global policy framework.  This means we need active input and regional perspectives from the Asia-Pacific States,” President Onuma declared. “This is especially important as the region is the world’s largest air transport market.”

“ICAO will continue promoting air transport connectivity and liberalization across the APAC Region, recognizing aviation as a catalyst for economic integration, trade, tourism and sustainable development,” remarked Secretary General Salazar.

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the host nation is working to become a regional aviation hub, citing safety, modernization and partnership as priorities.

Beyond the binding commitments, the conference also produced 44 recommendations to guide implementation and acknowledged 21 related issues and priorities. 

Progress will be reviewed at next year’s DGCA Conference in Laos.

Commitments towards achieving the ICAO vision for 2050

The DGCA agreed to measures for safety oversight and risk management and aligning national policy with regional safety targets. They will expand participation in ICAO-recognized safety programmes, including ICAO’s programme for assessing the effectiveness of regional aviation safety and accident investigation organizations, and supported stronger data-sharing agreements, enhanced oversight of lithium battery shipments, new crew resource management standards, and measures to address fatigue risk management, aeromedical safety, civil-military coordination, and interference with satellite navigation systems.

Security enhancements cover cybersecurity, coordinated measures to counter risks presented by unmanned aircraft and Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), and the protection of cargo and mail networks. States will also adopt digital border identity systems, advance passenger data programmes and updated protocols for inadmissible passengers.

Reaffirming their commitment to ICAO’s net-zero carbon emissions aspirations, the DGCA agreed to strengthen State Action Plans, as well as deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), with expanded participation in ICAO climate and emissions programmes. They also reaffirmed support for CORSIA, ICAO’s global market-based measure for carbon emissions and enhanced cooperation on climate adaptation.

Delegates recognized the need to streamline air traffic coordination across borders, ensure supply chain resilience, and modernize air navigation systems. They agreed to advance implementation of the Asia-Pacific Air Navigation Plan, address airspace and airport capacity constraints, and accelerate the deployment of new technologies such as trajectory-based operations and artificial intelligence in air traffic management.

To support implementation, States will strengthen cooperation on training cooperation, expand instructor development programmes, and promote opportunities for women and under-represented groups. The importance of implementation support for developing States and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was emphasized, with the conference featuring a presentation of the updated Pacific SIDS programme and a highly successful partnership dialogue where SIDS and development partners expressed full support for ICAO’s activities.