Riyadh to headquarter the Regional Aviation Safety Monitoring Organization for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

December 6, 2023

Today, His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the Organization’s Steering Committee, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, inaugurated the Regional Safety Oversight Organization For The Middle East & North African States (MENA RSOO) during the 15^th edition of the ICAN 2023 conference, in Riyadh. Hosted by the General Civil Aviation Authority from December 3 to 7, 2023, with the participation of over 100 countries and international organizations, and more than 700 experts and specialists in the field of civil aviation.

The Regional Aviation Safety Monitoring Organization for the Middle East and North Africa aims to assist member states in developing and implementing national training and safety programs, and to enhance their capabilities to monitor air safety in addition to achieving and maintaining aviation safety standards. The new organization includes the following members: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of Sudan, the Republic of Somalia, the State of Palestine, the State of Libya, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and the Republic of Yemen.

His Excellency the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the Organization’s Steering Committee, said in a speech he delivered during the inauguration ceremony that the establishment of the new organization is a milestone for all its member states, and is also testimony to its commitment to aviation safety, quality and efficiency. The Kingdom is committed to aviation safety through its continuous cooperation with international partners, to ensure the highest standards of air safety.

He President and Chairman added: What reinforces this interest is ICAO’s endeavor to unify the necessary safety standards, to integrate the innovations of remarkable echnological development in the civil aviation industry, especially with regard to the design of aircraft engines, autonomous control, remotely piloted service aircraft, and personal transportation via air taxi, while protecting the overall performance of the air traffic network, and improving on it.

His Excellency praised the support of the Kingdom’s leaders and its pioneering role in the region in line with achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 from which the National Aviation Strategy emerged to serve and support air safety in the Middle East and North Africa region.

He confirmed: It is no secret to everyone that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has the honor of hosting the headquarters of the Regional Air Safety Organization (MENA RSOO), provided through a generous donation from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with support from His Royal Highness the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with one million five hundred thousand US dollars contribution for the first two years of its formation, in order for the organization to carry out its tasks and responsibilities, in supporting air safety programs in our region and to assist member states in strengthening and raising their legislative and supervisory capabilities for their national air safety systems, enabling them to achieve higher levels of compliance with international rules and recommendations.

For his part, His Excellency the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, said that the launch of the new organization is an essential step towards increasing safety in the civil aviation sector, and represents the cooperation employed to develop civil aviation safety in the Middle East.

The civil aviation sector is considered an essential engine for economic growth and connectivity between countries, as well as the important role of aviation safety, which is a shared responsibility that requires a collective effort. He pointed out that the establishment of the Regional Air Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO) comes as a result of ICAO’s efforts aimed at coordinating air safety oversight practices and developing safety, effective governance, enhancing information exchange and building a strong framework for continuous improvement.

In turn, the Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, Abdelnabi Manar, said that the transport sector plays an essential role in the progress of nations, contributing to understanding and communication with various parts of the world, and reviving economic exchanges by facilitating the transport of people and goods, which in turn contributes to creating wealth and job opportunities, whether at the level of industry or infrastructure. The infrastructure of the air transportation system distinguishes itself by speed, efficiency, regularity, and a high level of safety, and relies on international standards, at the institutional, legal, financial, and technical levels.

He concluded that: For the organization to adopt a sustainable approach to strengthening the safety system in member states, it decided on establishing a regional center to monitor air safety. This initiative started in May 2012, when the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization gave its approval to conduct a study on Establishing the Regional Air Safety Monitoring Organization for the Middle East and North Africa, as a first step towards establishing this organization with the aim of achieving safe, sound and regular air transport that contributes to sustainable development.

Following the announcement, a signing ceremony for the memorandum of agreement was held with member states including a photo opportunity.