ICAO Symposium Delegates “Pressure International Community to Act on Promoting the Deployment of AAM”
A global Call to Action for the rapid, safe, and sustainable deployment of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) was revealed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), during its first ever event wholly dedicated to the topic, reports a press release.
Entitled “AAM global harmonisation and interoperability: Challenges and opportunities,” the symposium brought together 400 high-level government officials from 75 countries and representatives of the United Nations (UN) System and International Aviation Industry Associations. This groundbreaking event was held in Montreal, Canada.
World-leading manufacturers, operators and other cutting-edge innovators also participated to inform the development of a global vision and to share best practices and challenges. Many of the leading lights of the AAM industry participated in the event including JoeBen Bevirt (Joby); Kyle Clark (BETA Technologies); Johann Bordais, (Eve Air Mobility); Matt Broffman (Lilium); Oliver Reinhardt (Volocopter); Conor Yang (EHang); and Billy Nolen (Archer).
The release explains, “ICAO is encouraging the deployment of these technologies to heighten aviation’s ability to act as a catalyst for sustainable development worldwide. AAM is bringing new and innovative capabilities through an increasing array of activities, including health care, agriculture, water supply and monitoring, wildfire control, passenger, mail and cargo transportation.”
President Salvatore Sciacchitano of the ICAO Council, who officially opened the event, commented, “Advanced air mobility will revolutionise the transportation of passengers, goods and services by reimagining aerial mobility in urban and regional contexts. However, realising this vision requires careful consideration and planning at a global level.”
He continued, “The complexity of this undertaking is immense, necessitating insights from both core aviation stakeholders and new entrants. This points to an essential role for ICAO in ensuring alignment around safety and sustainability in this rapidly evolving and expanding landscape.”
It is in this context that a Call to Action has emerged.
Leading Aviation Speakers at the Symposium
https://www.instagram.com/icao/reel/C8abyPnpbb_
Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General, remarked, “Through our concerted efforts, we will embrace the numerous opportunities that AAM offers, shaping a future of aviation that is more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.”
He added, “AAM has considerable impact across various areas and disciplines throughout the aviation system. We therefore need to take an holistic approach and prepare for its convergence with conventional aviation.”
The Call urges cooperation among the wide array of stakeholders involved in AAM, including all levels of public authority; operators, manufacturers and service providers across the entire aviation ecosystem; private, public, and academic innovators; and other UN entities.
Several UN Members have already supported cooperation with ICAO, aimed at enhancing support for humanitarian missions via harmonising Unmanned Aerial Systems (AUS). This cooperation is essential, as UAS has proven invaluable to high-impact UN field operations, in areas like aid delivery, disaster response and peacekeeping operations.
Nigeria Commits to the ICAO Call to Action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZi075shJ7M
The symposium will continue until September 12th, with delegates making important contributions to progress on these topics.
Background
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is a specialised agency of the UN and has 193 member states’ from the aviation sectors and air services. This year, ICAO is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its establishment.
Those collaborating with the ICAO include the UN Secretariat; World Food Program; UN Habitat; Universal Postal Union; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations; UN High Commissioner for Refugees; and the International Telecommunication Union.
For more information
(Top image: From l to r: Vignesh Santhanam, India Lead for Drones and Tomorrow’s Airspace at the World Economic Forum; Chief Ralph Cattleman, Chief of Montana First Nation; ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar; ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano; His Excellency Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Al Duailej, President of the GACA of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; His Excellency Prosper Higiro, High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda in Canada and Representative to ICAO; Dr. Thomas Muyombo, Division Manager at the Rwanda Biomedical Center; and Brie O’Sullivan, Policy Analyst at the Public Health Agency of Canada)
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