Saudi Arabia on Wednesday participated in the 29th extraordinary session of the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) in Rabat, Morocco, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The meeting saw the attendance of several ministers and representatives from ACAO member states. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) represented Saudi Arabia in the meeting.
Fostering Regional Cooperation
During his speech, the President of GACA and Chairman of ACAO, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, praised the expansion of ACAO’s Executive Council membership from 9 to 11 members. He pointed to the importance of this step in enhancing the participation of the Arab countries in crucial decision-making with regards to the development of the civil aviation sector in the region.
Furthermore, he said that this step contributes to strengthening cooperation among Arab countries in this field, which is a main pillar in achieving sustainable development.
Addressing Challenges
Al-Duailej said that the 71st meeting of ACAO, held on Tuesday, led to a review of the main issues and challenges facing the organization and the civil aviation sector. It also prompted the discussion of innovative solutions that bolster the sector’s efficiency and support its sustainable growth.
The extraordinary session discussed multiple topics, including the approval of increasing the number of Executive Council members from 9 to 11, to include Tunisia and Yemen. The session also discussed setting priorities and developing joint action plans with ICAO regional offices and other regional organizations to enhance air transport safety, capacity and efficiency, in addition to protecting the aviation environment and unifying regional efforts.
In 1996, the Arab League established ACAO to act as a specialized organization that aims to boost cooperation and coordination among Arab states in civil aviation.
Earlier in December, Saudi Arabia won the presidency of the Air Navigation Committee of ACAO. In July 2024, Al-Duailej was elected Chairman of the ACAO Executive Council.
