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The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and the Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) today signed an alignment agreement on the outcomes of the spending review policy in areas of mutual cooperation. The signing, at GACA’s Riyadh headquarters, was carried out in accordance with the respective regulatory mandates of both entities and in line with applicable regulations, rules, and directives relating to government procurement and projects. The agreement was signed by Mr. Mohammed Al-Hamad, GACA’s Executive Vice President for Shared Services, and Eng. Abdulaziz Nassruldeen, Executive Vice President for Policies and Strategic Studies at EXPRO, on behalf of their respective organizations. This agreement stems from the commitment of both parties to forging strategic partnerships and strengthening cooperation in shared areas of work—with a focus on improved operational efficiency, enhancement of government services, optimized use of public assets and resources, and reallocation of spending as per national priorities. Through these measures, GACA fosters cooperation with all relevant government entities to support its strategic goals and to contribute to the realization of Saudi Vision 2030. GACA also remains committed to institutional excellence, effective implementation of national policies, and elevating the quality of services provided—reinforcing national objectives and advancing sustainable development.  

The President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), H.E. Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, met today with Mr. Fateh Bashina, Chargé d'Affaires of the Libyan Embassy in Saudi Arabia, at GACA’s headquarters in Riyadh.   The two sides discussed topics of mutual interest and explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the civil aviation sector.  

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for collaboration in international development. The MoU was signed by SFD CEO, H.E. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad and GACA President, H.E. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, during a ceremony held at the Riyadh headquarters of SFD. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation and integration between the SFD and GACA to support sustainable SFD-funded projects that promote long-term growth in developing countries. The agreement also enhances the proactive role of GACA in the global civil aviation sector, by leveraging the shared capabilities of both parties to improve airport infrastructure in beneficiary countries—thereby contributing to better service quality and enhanced regional and international air connectivity. This MoU aligns with Saudi Arabia’s longstanding efforts to boost international development. The SFD has over the past 50 years financed and promoted 800-plus projects and programs in over 100 developing nations, with total investment exceeding USD 21 billion, contributing to both social progress and economic prosperity in all those countries. In this context, the MoU bolsters the strategic objectives of GACA and its active role in the global aviation sector, via such key partnerships and in line with international best practices and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement further reflects the commitment of GACA to expand its collaboration with a broad range of public and private sector entities.  

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej said Saudi Arabia’s election to represent the Arab Group on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council underscores the Kingdom's significant role in the civil aviation sector regionally and internationally.  Al-Duailej, who also chairs the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) executive council, added that the unanimous decision reflects its leading position within specialized international bodies.  Al-Duailej's remarks came on the sidelines of the 30th extraordinary session of the ACAO general assembly, held Thursday in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.  He noted that recent executive council meetings and an extraordinary session of the ACAO provided a significant platform to discuss critical aviation sector issues. These issues included those concerning safety and security, and the integration of modern technologies for system development, he added.  Al-Duailej stressed that the aviation industry’s growing challenges demand enhanced coordination and collaboration among nations, particularly in preparation for the ICAO council meetings scheduled for September in Montreal.  Such efforts, he added, will strengthen Arab representation and help secure the highest possible number of seats on the council.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been unanimously elected as a representative of the Arab Group at the council of the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The election took place during the 30th extraordinary session of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) General Assembly, held on Thursday in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.  Saudi Arabia’s election came after nominations were submitted by countries for ICAO council membership through the Arab Group. Elections for the council will occur during the upcoming ICAO assembly, scheduled to take place from September 23 to October at the organization's headquarters in Canada’s Montréal.  Heading the Kingdom’s delegation at the ACAO session, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) board Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser praised the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve such feat.  Al-Jasser expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership for the unlimited support the civil aviation sector in the Kingdom receives. He affirmed that the election embodies the importance of the role Saudi Arabia plays in the sector both locally and regionally, in addition to its active efforts within pertinent international organizations. He underscored the importance of strengthening collective Arab efforts in the air transport industry and continuous communication to achieve the highest safety standards for this vital sector.  “The Kingdom will spare no effort to support Arab cooperation, based on the directives of the government,” Al-Jasser stated at the conclusion of his speech, affirming the government’s commitment to consolidating the foundations of Arab and global cooperation.

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President and Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) Executive Council Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Duailej chaired today the 72nd session of the council, held in Rabat, Morocco. The meeting was attended by heads of delegations from member states, the director general of ACAO, and a representative from the League of Arab States.  In his opening remarks, Al-Duailej welcomed the decision to expand the executive council’s membership from nine to 11 members, describing it as an institutional advancement rooted in a deep belief in broader participation, inclusiveness, and the enrichment of perspectives and expertise. He welcomed Tunisia and Yemen as new council members, noting that their inclusion will bring valuable contributions to the council’s discussions and outcomes.  He emphasized that the meeting agenda includes critical organizational and technical topics that directly impact the future of Arab civil aviation. These topics require a collaborative and unified action to generate practical recommendations that align with global developments and address increasing challenges in regulatory, technical, and economic domains. He highlighted the sector’s ongoing transformation, including the adoption of smart airspace management technologies, acceleration of digital transformation in airports, and the expansion of aviation safety systems — all within the framework of international environmental commitments.  Al-Duailej also underscored the importance of forming a unified Arab vision on civil aviation issues and presenting it effectively on the global stage to reflect the Arab world's institutional maturity and strengthen its position in international air transport.  “In light of these developments,” he stated, “it is vital that we redefine our Arab presence as an influential force in the global aviation sector. This can only be achieved through the articulation of a unified Arab perspective and a strategic presence in international and regional forums.”  He also stressed the need for collective preparation for the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council elections during its General Assembly in September 2025. He described it as a strategic opportunity for Arab coordination, calling for the nomination of a unified Arab candidate with full backing to ensure the retention of this influential seat — a key platform for advocating regional interests in the global aviation industry.  Al-Duailej further highlighted the centrality of Arab human capital in building strong aviation institutions. He called for prioritizing investments in national talent through advanced professional training programs aligned with global industry standards and reinforcing institutional evaluation mechanisms linked to measurable performance indicators.  He also called for a review of ACAO’s technical structure, particularly its technical committees and support mechanisms for member states, especially those undergoing reconstruction or modernization. He urged the adoption of regional technical solidarity programs based on thorough national needs assessments, development pathways tailored to each state’s priorities, and building strategic partnerships with relevant regional and international organizations. These steps, he noted, are essential to strengthening ACAO’s global presence through knowledge exchange, the adoption of best practices, and fostering international cooperation in technical areas — ultimately empowering member states and enhancing institutional effectiveness.  Following his address, the council reviewed the organization’s governance, technical, and financial matters. Discussions included follow-up on the recommendations of the 71st session, approval of outputs from ACAO’s technical committees — including Air Transport, Air Navigation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Security, Environment, and Media and Institutional Communication — in addition to updates on the implementation of ACAO’s annual activity program and recent developments in global and Arab air transport.