Georgetown: The historic 2018 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) air transport meeting, which opened on November 21 concluded Friday. The three-day meeting was hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC).
In closing remarks, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson said preparations for the meeting were completed in just 249 days. The minister expressed her appreciation to the delegates and agencies that played a critical role in making the conference a reality.
“This would not be possible without your support; coming from as far as Nigeria, our neighbouring friends in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica. I know for fact, many of you would have travelled for days. So, I want to say, on behalf of the government, thank you for being here,” Minister Ferguson explained.
The conference had a packed agenda that included discussions on Maximizing Economic Benefits of Aviation in the Region, Harmonising Regional Air Transport Regulatory Frameworks, the Liberalisation of Air Cargo: Regional and Global Approaches, Air Transport and Tourism: Smart Product Mix and Stimulating Investments in Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure.
Assistant Secretary-General of CARICOM, Joseph Cox noted the importance of development and opportunities for the regions that were highlighted during the meeting. He urged that the possibilities be explored and that the link between the Caribbean and Africa become a reality.
“We had a fruitful meeting with the African Union and the future is bright and we expect a lot of partnerships in training and capacity building, charters, opening of the airway between Africa and the region and broaden the investment dynamic,” Cox remarked.
ICAO’s President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu sought the agreement of the participants in supporting the Declaration on sustainable air transport development made in Georgetown which will be referred to as Georgetown Declaration on Sustainable Air Transport Development.
The ICAO air transport meeting was held under the theme “Promoting Connectivity for Sustainable Air Transport Development”.
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