Saudi Arabia Hosts Fourth Middle East Regional Aviation Security and Facilitation Group Meeting

October 14, 2024

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej inaugurated today in Riyadh the fourth meeting of the Middle East Regional Aviation Security and Facilitation Group (MID-RASFG/4) aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging expertise in aviation security and travel facilitation.

 Speaking at the opening of the two-day meeting, co-hosted by GACA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Middle East Regional Office, Al-Duailej emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to implementing ICAO international standards and highlighted the Kingdom's significant achievements in this area. These accomplishments include the introduction of the highly secure Saudi electronic passport, participation in the Public Key Directory, and the use of advanced technologies like big data and artificial intelligence to enhance inspection and monitoring operations.

 Al-Duailej highlighted the Kingdom's commitment to aviation security, as demonstrated by its 94.4% compliance rate in the ICAO aviation safety audit report, 100% compliance with Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention standards, and a seventh-place ranking among G20 countries in aviation security.

 Saudi Arabia presented a unified air travel requirements initiative aimed at creating a standardized global health framework for aviation in an effort to facilitate travel, unify health information protocols, and protect traveler health and safety.

 The meeting will address key topics such as following up on recommendations and decisions from the previous meeting (MID-RASFG/3), developing regional and global aviation security capabilities, discussing aviation security policy and counter-terrorism measures, improving airport security procedures through advanced technology, examining the impact of aviation-related legislation on public security, and reviewing Saudi Arabia's experience in quality control and compliance with international security standards.