25 December 2024

Saudi Arabia was represented by the General Authority of Civil Aviation today in the extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization in Rabat, Morocco. The session was attended by several ministers from member states and representatives from Arab countries within the organization.

In his speech, His Excellency Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, welcomed the decision to expand the Executive Council’s membership from 9 to 11 members. He viewed this as a significant step in boosting the involvement of Arab countries in key decisions related to the development of civil aviation in the region. This change is also expected to foster better cooperation among Arab countries, a vital aspect of achieving sustainable development.

Mr. Al-Duailej shared the outcomes of the 71st Executive Council session, noting that it focused on addressing critical issues and challenges facing the organization and the civil aviation sector. The session worked on finding innovative solutions to improve efficiency and support the sector’s sustainable growth by reviewing performance reports from various subcommittees and following up on previous recommendations, which showed notable progress.

He highlighted that Arab countries have made significant strides in air traffic, with seats offered by Arab countries now accounting for about 27% of the global total. However, he emphasized that there is still considerable potential for growth and called for greater effort from all member states to strengthen regional cooperation and air connectivity.

Mr. Al-Duailej also praised the organization for its training activities, which have benefited a total of  1,903 participants in 2024. He stressed the importance of building the skills of the workforce through advanced training programs and improving the exchange of knowledge and expertise between member countries. This, he said, would enhance the sector’s competitiveness at both regional and international levels. He also urged the adoption of digital solutions and advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, enhance the passenger experience, and upgrade service quality.

In conclusion, Mr. Al-Duailej underscored the importance of continuous coordination and joint cooperation between Arab countries to tackle challenges in the civil aviation sector. He called for unified efforts to ensure the sector’s sustainable growth and to strengthen its position globally, thus driving development and success for all member states.

Following his remarks, the meeting discussed various topics, including the decision to increase the Executive Council’s membership from 9 to 11 members, with Tunisia and Yemen joining the Council. The session also set priorities and discussed developing joint work programs with ICAO’s regional offices and similar organizations, aiming to improve air transport, safety, security, air navigation capacity, environmental protection, and coordination across the region.