GACA President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej Chairs 72nd Arab Civil Aviation Organisation Executive Council Meeting In Rabat

The 72nd session of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) Executive Council was chaired by Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in Rabat, Morocco. This meeting included heads of delegations from member states, ACAO's director general, and a League of Arab States representative. Al-Duailej welcomed the expansion of the council’s membership from nine to 11 members, highlighting Tunisia and Yemen's inclusion as beneficial for enriching discussions.

Al-Duailej emphasised the importance of addressing critical organisational and technical topics that impact Arab civil aviation's future. He stressed the need for collaborative action to develop recommendations that align with global developments and tackle challenges in regulatory, technical, and economic areas. The sector is undergoing transformation with smart airspace management technologies, digital transformation in airports, and expanded aviation safety systems within international environmental commitments.

He underscored forming a unified Arab vision on civil aviation issues to present effectively on the global stage. This approach aims to reflect institutional maturity and strengthen the Arab world's position in international air transport. "In light of these developments," he stated, "it is vital that we redefine our Arab presence as an influential force in the global aviation sector."

Al-Duailej called for collective preparation for the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council elections during its General Assembly in September 2025. He described this as a strategic opportunity for Arab coordination, urging the nomination of a unified Arab candidate with full backing to retain this influential seat — crucial for advocating regional interests globally.

The centrality of Arab human capital in building strong aviation institutions was highlighted by Al-Duailej. He advocated prioritising investments in national talent through advanced professional training programs aligned with global industry standards. Reinforcing institutional evaluation mechanisms linked to measurable performance indicators was also emphasised.

He urged reviewing ACAO’s technical structure, particularly its technical committees and support mechanisms for member states undergoing reconstruction or modernisation. Regional technical solidarity programs should be adopted based on thorough national needs assessments and development pathways tailored to each state’s priorities.

Strengthening ACAO's Global Presence

Building strategic partnerships with relevant regional and international organisations is essential for strengthening ACAO’s global presence through knowledge exchange and adopting best practices. These steps aim to empower member states and enhance institutional effectiveness by fostering international cooperation in technical areas.

The council reviewed governance, technical, and financial matters following Al-Duailej's address. Discussions included follow-up on recommendations from the 71st session and approval of outputs from ACAO’s technical committees such as Air Transport, Air Navigation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Security, Environment, and Media and Institutional Communication.

Updates were provided on implementing ACAO’s annual activity program and recent developments in global and Arab air transport. These discussions are crucial for ensuring that ACAO remains aligned with international standards while addressing regional needs effectively.

With inputs from SPA