Technical Assistance Programme
To ensure alignment between technical cooperation and technical assistance, an Implementation Policy Development Group (IPDG) was established by the Secretary General. The Group is composed of staff from the Air Navigation Bureau, Air Transport Bureau, Technical Cooperation Bureau, Regional Offices, the Strategic Planning, Coordination and Partnerships Office, and the Finance Branch. The IPDG has developed a proposal for a new ICAO Implementation Support Policy for technical cooperation and technical assistance programmes, projects, products and activities to be presented to the Council. An initial draft of the Policy was developed based on the IPDG’s deliberations.
Aviation Security
There are currently 15 ICAO aviation security courses and workshops being delivered through the Implementation Support and Development – Security Programme (ISD-SEC). They have been maintained and updated to ensure that the material remains effective and aligned with Annex 17 – Security, the Aviation Security Manual (Doc 8973 – Restricted), Aviation Security Global Risk Context Statement (Doc 10108 – Restricted) and ICAO Aviation Security Training Policy.
Throughout 2021, all training material was updated to incorporate the revisions in the twelfth edition (2020) of the ICAO Aviation Security Manual. Additionally, three out of six training courses and five out of nine workshops were converted into a virtual format to support global training during the pandemic. Elements highlighting the importance of an effective security culture in aviation were also incorporated within training materials.
The Secretariat maintains a strong working relationship with its 35 Aviation Security Training Centres (ASTCs) and 335 certified instructors provided by States and industry at no cost to ICAO and covering all of ICAO’s working languages. In 2021, ICAO was able to deliver 32 aviation security training courses and workshops through the ASTC Network, 21 of which were delivered virtually, and 11 of which were delivered in a face-to-face classroom setting. A total of 428 aviation security specialists from 86 Member States participated in the courses and workshops.
ICAO provides assistance to Member States on an ad hoc basis and through Aviation Security Improvement Plans (ASIPs). Assistance is provided in close collaboration with the ICAO Regional Offices. ASIPs are multi-phased, tailored plans aimed at building the capacities of States based on an assessment of needs and States’ commitment to improve their aviation security capabilities. In total, 13 States are currently involved in an active ASIP.
An Implementation Package (iPack) on COVID-19 aviation security quality control oversight was developed to support aviation security authorities in their efforts to maintain and strengthen surveillance measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The iPack achieves this objective by: improving the remote collaboration and communication between ICAO, States and their aviation stakeholders; increasing States’ capacities to apply risk management principles and monitor aviation security activities using a risk-based approach; and generally aiding in the implementation of States’ national civil aviation security programmes. In 2021, the Secretariat started deploying the iPack in 19 States.
The ISD-SEC continues to support the ICAO Regional Offices and regional initiatives by ensuring the provision of expertise, updated aviation security training materials, and information on best practices in managing aviation security. Ongoing initiatives include the Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SECFAL Plan) and the Cooperative Aviation Security Programmes (CASPs) in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. During 2021, Secretariat staff from ICAO’s headquarters continued to support all Aviation Security and Facilitation Regional Group meetings and Steering Committee meetings organized by the ICAO Regional Offices.
