ICAO celebrates 80 years with “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future” focus
Travel Biz News —
Chicago & Montréal – The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) commemorated its 80th anniversary with an Extraordinary Session of the Governing Council, highlighting the continued impact of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
The Chicago Convention, a key international agreement signed on 7 December 1944, has shaped global civil aviation to the benefit of all peoples and nations of the world.
The meeting of the 36 members of the ICAO Council took place on 5 December in the same room of the Chicago Hilton (formerly Stevens Hotel) where the 1944 diplomatic conference was held.
The Council adopted a resolution which recognizes the significant contributions that ICAO has made over the eight decades since the 1944 meeting and looks to the future, to shape an aviation sector that is safe, sustainable and more accessible to all. The Council resolution also celebrates the significant contributions of civil aviation to global cooperation, peace, and economic development. It also urges Member States to continue promoting innovation, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 , according to a press release issued by ICAO.
In a written message to the Council, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres commended ICAO’s leadership in environmental sustainability. He praised ICAO’s new Long-Term Strategic Plan for its alignment with the UN’s 2030 Agenda, particularly highlighting its focus on concrete emissions reduction, environmental protection, and capacity building through the “No Country Left Behind” initiative. The Secretary-General expressed strong support for ICAO’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
The event brought together representatives from the ICAO Council and high-level delegates from ICAO Member States, including 10 Ministers and 50 Directors General of Civil Aviation.
ICAO President Salvatore Sciacchitano told delegates that the 1944 Chicago conference was a remarkable moment in human history.“Eighty years ago, as the Second World War still raged, 54 States came together in this very city to imagine a different future – one where aviation would serve as a bridge between nations rather than an instrument of conflict,” he expressed.
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar remarked that the theme of the anniversary – “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future” – reflected ICAO’s long-standing aspirations and dedication to achieving zero fatalities and net zero carbon emissions.
December 11 , 2024 Photo : ICAO
