EU and ICAO strengthen commitment to global aviation safety, security, and sustainability

The European Union (EU) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing global aviation safety, security, and sustainability during a meeting at ICAO Headquarters in Montreal on 26 June. Co-chaired by Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission, and Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of ICAO, this EU-ICAO Joint Committee meeting focused on advancing collaborative efforts in international civil aviation. During the meeting, both parties signed agreements to increase cooperation in capacity building, technical assistance, and implementation support, as well as in continuous monitoring activities in aviation security.

Director-General Magda Kopczyńska stated, "We value the strong partnership between the EU and ICAO, which supports safe, secure, and sustainable aviation globally in line with the principle of 'No Country Left Behind.' We are particularly pleased to partner with ICAO through the EU Global Gateway and ACT-SAF initiatives to support the development of sustainable aviation fuels in developing countries. Today’s meeting further strengthened our cooperation."

ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, emphasized the importance of this new initiative, stating, "The adoption of this Annex marks a pivotal moment in ICAO's partnership with the European Union. By combining efforts, we are not just enhancing support for States in need, we're also laying the foundation for a more interconnected, safe, and resilient global aviation system. This collaboration embodies our shared commitment to elevating aviation standards worldwide and ensuring No Country is Left Behind in our rapidly evolving industry."

Background

In 2022, ICAO adopted a global objective of net-zero CO₂ emissions for international aviation by 2050 and a target for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to achieve 5% CO₂ reduction by 2030. The EU also adopted its SAF legislation, ReFuelEU Aviation, last year. The European Commission is already supporting the global development of SAFs and contributing to the ICAO ACT-SAF Initiative.