Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 12 April 2017: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, met with Dr. Fang Liu, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) today in his office at the African Union (AU) Headquarters.

Dr. Liu congratulated H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat for his recent election as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and used the opportunity of her visit to discuss the progress made in the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between AU and ICAO.

The two principals exchanged views on the way forward towards building cooperation between the two organizations on matters related to enhancing aviation safety and security, the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2309 on countering terrorist threats to civil aviation, supplemented by the Declaration on Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa adopted by the first meeting of the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructures, Energy and Tourism.

Dr. Liu stated, “Air transport contributes to job creation and the number of job created by the sub sector will increase as air traffic is projected to double by 2030. As a result, this trend needs strong safety and security, effective implementation and efficiency of air navigation services”.

H.E. the AU Commission Chairperson stated that “Air transport is among the flagship projects under the AU Agenda 2063 and is seen as an enabler of socio-economic development at national and regional level. In addition the aviation sector plays a key role in the development of landlocked countries. The Chairperson noted that there is a convergence of priorities between the AUC and ICAO in terms of enhancing safety, security and facilitation; ICAO support is key in enabling African States to meet international standards as well as improve the competitiveness of African airlines to ensure this mode of transportation is safe, secure, efficient, and affordable to users, he added.

The AU and ICAO committed to implementing joint efforts towards attaining sustainable development of air transport in Africa with the aim of achieving the goal of a single African air transport market.

African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The AU Vision is that of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force.

ICAO
ICAO is the United Nations Specialized Agency on civil aviation matters created in 1944. It has 191 Member States, with a 36 Member Governing Council, eight of which are from Africa. Dr. Liu is the first ever woman serving ICAO as Secretary General.

For further information, please contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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