UAE's Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace Officially Recognised As Annual ICAO Event

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council has officially recognised the UAE's Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) as an annual event in its calendar. This marks a significant achievement for a state-initiated concept to gain international support and become a regular platform. The GSAM was first introduced in Abu Dhabi in February 2025 during the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS).

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), expressed pride in this achievement. He stated, "Thanks to the guidance of our wise leadership, the UAE continues to lead the civil aviation sector both regionally and internationally. This achievement reflects the UAE’s prominent position on the global civil aviation map and reaffirms its excellence in developing future solutions and creating sustainable and innovative global initiatives that drive the growth and competitiveness of this vital sector while keeping pace with global development needs."

The GSAM initiative aims to promote sustainable practices in aviation by uniting stakeholders like airlines, manufacturers, regulators, and investors. The focus is on adopting sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), low-carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), and climate finance solutions through ICAO’s Finvest Hub. This decision highlights the UAE's commitment to establishing this event as part of ICAO's global agenda.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, remarked on this milestone: "We are proud that the GSAM initiative, once a national vision, is now a formal ICAO-backed global event. This milestone is a testament to the UAE’s strategic focus on sustainability and our belief in inclusive, multilateral collaboration to drive progress."

The ICAO Council members commended the UAE's leadership for its proactive approach towards sustainability and innovation. They noted that the UAE serves as a model for turning visionary ideas into reality. The initiative was proposed by the UAE in 2024 through its permanent mission to ICAO with an aim to create a marketplace linking policy, technology, and finance for aviation's net-zero emissions transition.

The second edition of GSAM is being prepared with expectations of attracting diverse global participants. It will serve as a practical forum for advancing ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This development underscores the UAE's growing influence in shaping sustainable aviation's future. It demonstrates their ability to deliver scalable solutions addressing global challenges effectively.

With inputs from WAM