The Bureau is responsible for the implementation of the ICAO’s strategic goal ‘International Civil Aviation Convention, other Treaties, Laws and Regulations Address All Challenges’. The Bureau also supports other goals of the ICAO Strategic Plan by providing advice and assistance on legal and external relations matters and through the management and development of ICAO’s public profile.

 

The Bureau carries projects under the international air law programme. It promotes widespread ratification and implementation of international air law instruments, and it facilitates the development of international air law instruments and guidance material in response to emerging challenges and opportunities. The Bureau serves as Secretary to the Legal Committee, a permanent Committee of the Organization, constituted by the Assembly and comprised of legal experts from 193 Member States. The Bureau supports various working groups, task forces and study groups in conducting research and study of subjects under the Legal Committee’s Work Programme. The Bureau provides comprehensive Secretariat support for the administration of the settlement of differences pursuant to Chapter XVIII of the Chicago Convention.

 

In supporting other Strategic Goals and Enablers of ICAO, LEB  provides legal advice and opinions  to the ICAO Member States, Governing Bodies, President of the Council and the Secretary General, other ICAO Bureaus and Regional Offices on any issue of law, and in particular on international law, and air law;  the review of all agreements and contracts; participation in the system of administration of justice; and the performance of the treaty depositary  and aeronautical arrangement registration functions of the Organization. 

 

With regard to external relations matters, the Bureau is responsible for: maintaining close and harmonious working relations with Member States; serving as focal point for the Organization’s relations with the Host Government; carrying out liaison and protocol functions; and monitoring and providing policy guidance and advice on current political events which might affect ICAO. 

 

The Communications Section supports the achievement of ICAO’s aims and objectives by safeguarding and developing the organization’s reputation for leadership and excellence. The unit conducts analysis to identify potential opportunities to develop ICAO's reputation, and to mitigate any risks to it. It develops strategies to respond to the outcomes of this analysis, and creates a wide variety of public information tools to enable the deployment of these strategies. Products of the Communications Section include the scripting of speeches for ICAO’s leadership, active outreach to key stakeholders through a variety of channels (including journalistic and social media), and the management of requests for access to public information. The Section also plays an important role in supporting staff in developing their own public advocacy for the organization’s objectives, in accordance with the relevant internal frameworks.