GACA Highlights Youth Development At The United Nations Summit Of The Future

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) took part in the United Nations' Summit of the Future on Friday. This summit seeks to establish a unified global vision for the future, involving UN member states, agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, academic institutions, the private sector, and youth. GACA's involvement included hosting a virtual session titled "Youth Development in the Civil Aviation Sector," in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's goals to support and empower youth. It also highlights GACA's commitment to training young professionals for the civil aviation sector. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, GACA's president, noted that there will be a need for 284,000 new pilots over the next decade. Additionally, there is a growing demand for maintenance professionals.

In Saudi Arabia alone, the aviation sector is projected to generate around 279,000 direct jobs by 2030. This represents a significant increase from the current 73,000 jobs, marking an approximate 300% rise. Al-Duailej emphasised: "Youth constitute more than 60% of Saudi Arabia's population, and this energy is exactly what we need to drive innovation and ensure the sector's sustainability."

The United Nations will host the "Summit of the Future" on September 22 and 23 as part of the high-level week of the General Assembly. World leaders will participate in this event aimed at updating and activating UN institutions to address rapid changes and challenges of the 21st century. Prior to this summit, preparatory action days were held on September 20 and 21 to engage all stakeholders further.

GACA's proposal was one of only 40 activities approved out of 400 submissions from various countries. This marks GACA's first participation in UN events. The initiative underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to fostering youth development within its aviation industry through education, training, and professional growth opportunities.

The summit aims to create additional opportunities for engagement among all involved parties. By focusing on youth development in aviation, GACA hopes to contribute significantly to both national and international efforts towards sustainable growth in this vital sector.

With inputs from SPA