Photo credit: Direction de la Communication, Government of Monaco
MONTREAL - As the 42nd Triennial Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) convenes here, the Principality of Monaco has taken a prominent role in deliberations aimed at bolstering the safety, security and environmental resilience of global air travel.
The assembly, running from Sept. 23 to Oct. 3, brings together representatives from ICAO's 193 member states to address pressing challenges in the sector. Monaco's delegation is led by Jean-Philippe Bertani, the principality's permanent representative to ICAO, with support from Jérôme Journet, director of Monaco's Civil Aviation Authority.
Key discussions have centered on enhancing aviation security and safety measures, improving accessibility for passengers with disabilities, combating cybercrime, building climate resilience and promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). These talks unfold against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, including regional conflicts that directly affect air security and passenger safety.
The assembly also includes the election of members to ICAO's governing Council, an executive body comprising 36 states elected for three-year terms. The Council oversees the implementation of ICAO standards and policies, while coordinating the work of various technical committees.
Monaco has engaged in bilateral meetings with counterparts from other nations, such as Singapore, to exchange insights on shared priorities and best practices in critical areas. The principality is actively positioning itself in the push toward carbon neutrality by 2050, with a focus on urban and regional air mobility. It is contributing to accelerated decarbonization efforts through SAF and the advent of electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL), whose certification is anticipated by the end of the decade.
Founded in 1944 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO develops international standards to ensure the security, efficiency and sustainability of air transport worldwide. Headquartered in Montreal, the organization plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of global aviation amid evolving technological and environmental demands.