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South Africa Elected into the Council
of the International Civil Aviation Organisatin (ICAO)
On 31st March 2003 South Africa was elected into the
Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO), marking a historical return to the 36 member
governing body of the Organisation, since apartheid-run
South Africa was ousted from the Council in the 1960s.
This successful election follows years of preparation
and campaign for ICAO member states to ratify a protocol
amending the Chicago Convention on International Civil
Aviation to increase the Council membership from 33
to 36.
In 1998 South Africa declared its intention to run
for election into the Council of ICAO, but undertook
to do so only after the increase of Council seats from
33 to 36, in order to add to the African voice rather
than jeopardise the position of fellow African states.
South Africa is, therefore, thankful to the ICAO Contracting
States who undertook to expedite the process of ratifying
the Protocol amending the Convention to increase seats.
South Africa takes its seat in the ICAO Council as
one of the Contracting States that make the largest
contribution to the provision of facilities for international
civil aviation, and ensures the representation of a
major geographical area of ICAO. South Africa is respectively
mindful of this important position.
The role of the ICAO Council in international civil
aviation is an immense one, to which South Africa comes
prepared to face up to the challenge. In doing so, South
Africa is cognisant of its regional role; there are
a number of major tasks to which it will be adding its
input in the interest of the SADC sub-region, Africa,
other developing states and the good of civil aviation
in general. Issues such as safety and security, development
that accommodates all ICAO Contracting States, the International
Finance Facility for Aviation Safety (IFFAS), stability
of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCA) are
but some of the issues high on the South African priorities.
South Africa is honoured by this election which fortuitously
arrives in the backdrop of the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD), and through the field of civil
aviation has committed itself to playing a vital role
in the efforts of NEPAD.
Minister Jeff Radebe, Acting Minister of Transport,
wishes to thank all government departments and agencies,
international organisations, states and individual officials
who lent their support to ensure the success.
Our people, our region and the world have been expecting
us; the time for delivery has now come, Minister Radebe
said.
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