South Africa’s re-election to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council is an affirmation of its contribution in shaping the evolution of aviation, according to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
“South Africa’s re-election to the Council is an affirmation of our contribution in shaping the evolution of international civil aviation to respond to modern challenges. We pronounced our commitment to continue working with the progressive world in the advancement of civil aviation,” he Minister said.
South Africa’s re-election to the specialised agency of the United Nations took place at the agency’s 40th Assembly in Montreal, Canada.
South Africa stood for election in Part II of the 3 Part Council. Voting for the new Council was on Saturday with South Africa receiving 148 of the 167 votes cast.
The re-election is a continuation of South Africa’s unbroken service since ICAO’s 34th Assembly in 2003.
Mbalula affirmed that South Africa continues to provide expert air traffic control and management solutions for 10% of the world’s airspace.
The Minister said the election affirmed the international community of South Africa’s contribution to civil aviation development. This confidence was earlier demonstrated by the election of South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Director of Civil Aviation Poppy Khoza as second vice president of the 40th ICAO Assembly.
ICAO was established in 1944 to promote safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world.
It meets at least once every three years and is convened by ICAO’s governing body, the Council.
The assembly started on 24 September and concludes on 4 October.
