MONTRÉAL, 17 February 2011 – The annual number of passengers worldwide will increase from 2.5 billion to 5 billion over the next 20 years and the number of flights from 26 million to 50 million, Raymond Benjamin, Secretary General of ICAO told a luncheon hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce in Canada today.

The major challenge for the air transport sector will be to manage this sustained growth and, at the same time, improve the safety, security and sustainability of civil aviation.

“Our strategy is clear, proactive and targeted,” said Mr. Benjamin before a gathering of leaders of the Franco-Canadian business community.

Through its Global Air Navigation Plan, ICAO will facilitate the harmonization of a variety of large scale regional programmes to be implemented by States in the next 10 years to upgrade their national aeronautical infrastructures.
To reduce the number of accidents occurring during take-off and landing at airports, today’s leading cause of serious accidents, the United Nations agency has adopted a multi-disciplinary approach involving the relevant government entities and industries.

Special efforts will also be undertaken to promote closer cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities, which will lead to more efficient use of airspace for the benefit of all users.
As concerns security, “Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the wait times at checkpoints are as short as possible and that the measures deployed are unnoticeable to passengers, while providing the highest level of protection,” the Secretary General explained.

This will require proactive measures including the application of improved technologies for the detection of prohibited items, the further strengthening of international standards, more effective sharing of security information, the continuation of the mandatory audits by ICAO, and assistance to States that lack the expertise or resources to develop their aviation security systems.

Finally, although aviation accounts for a very small proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, Mr. Benjamin presented a bold strategy for the aviation sector. “What matters most is that we stick to our targets of zero emissions growth as of 2020 and a 2 per cent annual fuel efficiency improvement up to the year 2050, on the basis of a global approach that takes into account technological progress, operational improvements, market-based measures and sustainable alternative fuels for aviation,” Mr. Benjamin concluded.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To promote sharing of aviation security knowledge and expertise globally, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the ICAO-Singapore Aviation Security Leadership and Management Seminar (LAMS). Mr. Raymond Benjamin, Secretary-General, ICAO, and Mr. Yap Ong Heng, Director-General, CAAS, signed the MOU today.

This high-level Seminar will be developed with ICAO and run by the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), the training arm of CAAS. It aims to equip senior management of the civil aviation authorities and industry with the knowledge and expertise on aviation security to enable them to effectively carry out their responsibilities as decision-makers. The Seminar also aims to enhance States’ and industry players’ understanding of ICAO aviation security objectives and priorities, international aviation security developments and international best practices.

The Seminar is targeted at the senior management of governmental aviation organizations, airport authorities, airlines, other relevant aviation industry organizations, and international aviation organizations. The Seminar will be conducted at SAA, and facilitated by aviation security instructors from ICAO and Singapore. The Seminar is scheduled to have its inaugural run in the third quarter of 2011.

Mr. Benjamin, who is in Singapore under the CAAS Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP), emphasised the need for such high-level Seminars to enhance global understanding and cooperation in protecting civil aviation from security threats. “Civil aviation threats such as terrorism are global problems that require global solutions. Security measures must therefore be uniform and consistently enforced in all countries to be effective. This can only be achieved with the full cooperation of States, in collaboration with key stakeholders, including industry partners”.

“Singapore is honoured to partner ICAO in establishing the Aviation Security Leadership and Management Seminar. This Seminar is timely in the light of the evolving security threats and the developments in aviation security globally. It will significantly contribute to States enhancing their aviation security preparedness and capabilities”, said Mr. Yap.

About the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 190 Contracting States.

ICAO and Recent Developments in Civil Aviation Security

At the recent 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly held in Montréal in September/October 2010, Member States endorsed a Declaration on Aviation Security and adopted a proactive Comprehensive Aviation Security Strategy. More recently, the Council of ICAO adopted the 12th amendment of Annex 17 (Security) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, improvements specifically aimed at strengthening air cargo security measures. In September, a diplomatic conference held in Beijing, under the auspices of ICAO, adopted two treaties to further criminalise acts of unlawful interference against civil aviation.

Website: www.icao.int

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to “Grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore’s success”. CAAS’ roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, develop Singapore as a centre for aviation knowledge and training, and contribute to the development of international aviation.
Website: www.caas.gov.sg

Founded in 1958, the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA) is the training arm of CAAS. Over the past 50 years, SAA has established itself as a renowned centre of learning in aviation. It continuously introduces new programmes to address the needs of aviation professionals at all stages of their careers.
In 2000, SAA was conferred the prestigious Edward Warner Award by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for its eminent contribution as a centre of excellence in international civil aviation training. To date, SAA has trained more than 52,000 participants from 190 countries. SAA has currently four specialised schools – School of Aviation Management, School of Civil Aviation Safety and Security, School of Air Traffic Services and School of Airport Emergency

Services.
Website : www.saa.com.sg

About the CAAS Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP)
The CAAS Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP) was established in 2000 to honour outstanding leaders and experts in international civil aviation. The DVP is customised for the invited personality and serves as a unique opportunity for the personality to gain a first-hand understanding of Singapore’s civil aviation landscape, and exchange views with senior transport officials and industry players in Singapore.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTREAL, 17 November 2010 ? The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has adopted more stringent air cargo security standards, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the overall security of air transport operations worldwide.

The new measures emphasize more extensive screening of cargo, mail and other goods prior to placing them on board aircraft and better protection from unauthorized interference from the point where security controls are applied until departure of the aircraft.

Also included is the strengthening of provisions related to the deployment of security equipment, the security of air traffic service providers, training programmes and instructor certification systems, and cyber threats.

The updated security requirements are contained in the 12th revision of Annex 17 (Security) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, adopted today by the Council of the Organization.

“This latest revision to the Security Annex has been in development for some time and reflects our determination to constantly review and adapt ICAO security standards to address a rapidly evolving security situation. It also complements a number of recent initiatives to significantly increase the level of aviation security, in a proactive and concerted manner,” said Mr. Roberto Kobeh González, ICAO Council President.

The recent 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly unanimously adopted a Declaration which identified a number of areas where States committed to working together, in cooperation with the industry, on security issues. These include air cargo security, screening technologies to detect prohibited articles, strengthening international standards, improving security information-sharing and providing capacity-building assistance to States in need.

A diplomatic conference, held in Beijing in September 2010 under the auspices of ICAO, adopted two international air law instruments for the suppression of unlawful acts relating to civil aviation.

The two treaties further criminalize the act of using civil aircraft as a weapon, and of using dangerous materials to attack aircraft or other targets on the ground. They also provide for the unlawful transport of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, and their related material, to be punishable. Making a threat against civil aviation may also trigger criminal liability.

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November 15, 2010 — oacicomm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PIO 15/10

MONTREAL, 15 November 2010 ? Roberto Kobeh González was re-elected today by acclamation, for a second three-year term, as President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“Our priority for the coming triennium is the implementation of the comprehensive and groundbreaking initiatives adopted recently by the 37th Session of the ICAO Assembly, all designed to further improve the safety, the security and the environmental sustainability of international civil aviation,” said Mr. Kobeh González in his acceptance remarks.

“We will do so as the central institution for global governance in civil aviation, by continuing to exercise our leadership in a spirit of cooperation with all stakeholders, so that safe and secure air transport can continue to play a determining role in the sustainable development of our global society. This is what is expected of us and this is what we will deliver.” he added.

Mr. Kobeh González first assumed office as President of the Council on 1 August 2006, after having been elected to complete the mandate of Dr. Assad Kotaite, who retired on 31 July of that year. He was elected for a full term following the 36th Session of the ICAO Assembly held in late September 2007.

Mr. Kobeh González served as Representative of Mexico on the Council of ICAO from January 1998 until his election as President in 2006.

ROBERTO KOBEH GONZÁLEZ

Born Huixtla, Chiapas, Mexico, on 18 October 1943

Nationality: Mexican Marital Status: Single

Education:Graduate from the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (1965), Mr. Kobeh González holds an Engineering degree in Communications and Electronics. He was a professor of aeronautical electronics at the Institute from 1972 until 1975. He also studied at the Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma and at the National Productivity Centre of Mexico and has taken several management, planning, quality assurance and leadership courses.

Awards:Mr. Kobeh González received the Award for Extraordinary Service from the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States in 1988. In 1997, he was awarded the Emilio Carranza Medal from the Government of Mexico for his contribution to the development of civil aviation in Mexico for thirty consecutive years. In 2004, he received the award for Contribution to the Development of Aviation in the Central American Region from the Central American Corporation of Air Navigation Services. Most recently, in 2009 he received the degree of Doctor of Engineering honoris causa from the Korea Aerospace University.

For the full CV, see here