Saudi Arabia Commits $1 Million To ICAO For Supporting Developing Countries' Aviation Standards

Saudi Arabia's influence in global aviation was underscored by Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Saleh Al-Jasser, at the 42nd General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal. He announced a $1 million donation from King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to support ICAO's "No Country Left Behind" initiative for 2025-2028, aiding developing nations in meeting aviation safety and security standards.

Al-Jasser emphasised Saudi Arabia's significant role in both regional and international aviation sectors. The Kingdom is recognised among the top countries for aviation safety and security. It maintains robust cooperative relations with ICAO, actively contributing to the development of global aviation policies and practices.

The Kingdom's ambitious aviation program is part of its National Transport and Logistics Strategy. This initiative aims to transport over 330 million passengers annually by 2030, connect Saudi Arabia to 250 international destinations, attract investments exceeding $100 billion, and develop key infrastructure like King Salman International Airport with a capacity of 120 million passengers.

Al-Jasser highlighted that the aviation sector contributes over $53 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP and provides one million job opportunities. The Kingdom has hosted numerous international conferences, including ICAN2023 and the ICAO Facilitation 2024 Global Summit. These efforts reflect its commitment to enhancing global aviation cooperation.

Saudi Arabia is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This goal will be pursued through investments in low-carbon infrastructure, fleet modernisation, and sustainable aviation fuels. Al-Jasser pointed out that the Red Sea International Airport serves as a global model of sustainability, operating entirely on renewable energy.

Innovation and Regional Integration

The use of an autonomous air taxi for Hajj 2024 exemplifies Saudi Arabia's dedication to innovation in aviation. In terms of regional integration, Al-Jasser expressed pride in chairing the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) and hosting the official headquarters of the Cooperative Aviation Security Program – Middle East (CASP-MID).

He extended an invitation to all member states to attend the fourth edition of the Future of Aviation Conference in Riyadh from April 20 to 22, 2026. This event will further showcase Saudi Arabia's leadership in advancing global aviation standards.

With inputs from SPA