ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Office

✈️ ICAO PSIDS COORDINATION MEETING ✈️

Hosted by CAA Fiji from 4–5 December 2025 in Nadi, Fiji, the second coordination meeting brought together the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), along with partner States and organizations, with a clear focus on strengthening collaboration and advancing shared priorities. Building on the foundation of our first workshop in 2024, the meeting further refined strategies, aligned understanding, and reinforced the importance of safe and secure civil aviation oversight. Discussions underscored the value of unity and the need for consistent coordination—supported by ICAO and assistance donors—to achieve sustainable results.

The coordination meeting also demonstrated the ongoing commitment of PSIDS to working cohesively in addressing pressing issues. By coming together, States reaffirmed their dedication to mutual support and constructive dialogue. The meeting reflected on past progress while setting the stage for future deliverables, recognizing that each meeting, training session, and workshop contributes to strengthening civil aviation across the Pacific.

From ICAO APAC RO & RSO

International Civil Aviation Day: ICAO is advocating for safe and sustainable air transport for all
https://www.icao.int/news/international-civil-aviation-day-icao-advocating-safe-and-sustainable-air-transport-all

Features:
🌏✈️ 2025 International Civil Aviation Day Statement by ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano

🌏✈️ 2025 International Civil Aviation Day Statement by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar

International Civil Aviation Day: ICAO is advocating for safe and sustainable air transport for all International Civil Aviation Day: ICAO is advocating for safe and sustainable air transport for allMontréal, 5 December 2025 - ICAO's Strategic Plan for 2050 is the focus of this International Civil Aviation Day (7 December), which is taking place under the theme "Safe Skies and a Sustainable Futur...

🌏 As international civil aviation enters a new era marked by unprecedented challenges and opportunities, ICAO presents its comprehensive strategic-plan-2026-2050. With air traffic projected to reach 12.4 billion passengers by 2050, this plan guides our sector toward a more safe, secure, economically viable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable future. ICAO has identified six Strategic Goals to achieve and support its vision and mission. They serve as the guiding principles for the outcomes that ICAO strives to achieve, forming the foundation for all programmes, projects, and activities.
✈️ Every Flight is Safe and Secure
✈️ Aviation is Environmentally Sustainable
✈️ Aviation Delivers Seamless, Accessible, and Reliable Mobility
for All
✈️ No Country Left Behind
✈️ The International Civil Aviation Convention and other Treaties,
Laws and Regulations address all Challenges
✈️ The Economic Development of Air Transport Assures the
Delivery of Economic Prosperity and Societal Well-Being for All

https://www.icao.int/about-icao/Council/strategic-plan-2026-2050

This year’s theme for the International Civil Aviation Day 2025 taking place on 7 December 2025 - Safe Skies & Sustainable Future For All - highlights ICAO's Essential Aspirations that anchor ICAO’s new Strategic Plan 2026 - 2050 :
• Zero fatalities
• Net-zero carbon emissions
• Accessible Air Transport for All
https://www.icao.int/about-icao/Council/strategic-plan-2026-2050

🌏✈️ APANPIRG/36 has officially commenced from 24 November 2025 at the Koitate Wing of the ICAO Asia and Pacific Regional Office!

👉 Mr. Tao MA, ICAO Regional Director, warmly welcomed 188 participants representing 26 States, 2 Special Administrative Regions of China, and 6 International Organizations.

👏 We are proud to announce the newly elected leadership of APANPIRG:

• Ms. Theresa Levestam, Chief Executive, Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) – Chairperson for the next three years term
• Mr. HAN Kok Juan, Director General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore – First Vice Chairperson
• Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand – Second Vice Chairperson
• 👏 Special thanks to Capt. Tamayo, retired Chairperson from CAA Philippines, for his invaluable contributions. We also recognize the dedication of subgroup Chairpersons including Mr. Kuah Kong Beng, Mr. Richard Wu, Dr. Pak-Wai Chan, and Mr. Jaehong Jung, who recently retired from their chairmanship roles.

📑 This meeting features 21 Working Papers, 8 Information Papers, 4 Presentations and 1 Flimsy — ensuring constructive discussions and meaningful outcomes.

🌟 Highlights from APANPIRG/36
• Successful outcomes: 42nd ICAO Assembly, 60th DGCA Conference (Sendai, Japan), APAC Regional Training Symposium, and implementation support activities.
• Key Achievements in 2025: Aerodrome certifications and openings of three new international airports in APAC, expanded route network for 2026 operations, advancements in CNS/ATM systems, enhanced meteorological services, launch of an ICAO website showcasing PSIDS projects, and continued progress toward ICAO’s net‑zero 2050 goal.
• Air navigation challenges: GNSS vulnerabilities, 148 outstanding deficiencies, certification of military aerodromes used for international operations, and strengthening meteorological services (IWXXM, turbulence reporting, volcanic ash).
• Regional collaboration: Coordinated efforts to minimize the disruption to air traffic flow due to the Hayli Gubbi Volcanic Eruption in Ethiopia.

🤝 We gratefully acknowledge EASA and AEROTHAI for their support of the event.
🤝 We also extend our appreciation to the APNPIRG/36 exhibitors and sponsors - MD Onboard, Quintus, and NATS - for their valuable contributions.

Learn more about https://www.icao.int/APAC/meetingdocs?fid=7024

Implementing the New Obstacle Limitation Surfaces Provisions: ICAO Workshop on Annex 14, Volume I, Amendment 18,
2-5 September 2025, Bangkok, THAILAND

🌏✈️ ATM/SG/13 successfully concluded in Singapore!

Generously hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the 13th Meeting of the Air Traffic Management Sub-Group (ATM/SG/13) of APANPIRG brought together 132 participants from 24 States, 2 Special Administrative Regions of China, and 4 International Organizations🛫

🔍 Key Highlights:
• Reviewed regional ATM progress, including APANPIRG/35 and ATM/SG/12 updates
• Advanced the Asia/Pacific Seamless ANS Plan through:
– Trajectory-based operations (TBO)
– Free route airspace
• Addressed safety deficiencies
• Strengthened ATM contingency and cross-border coordination
• Examined operational challenges
• Reinforced collaboration on:
- Search and rescue
- Civil-military cooperation
- Danger area management
- Space object launch and re-entry
• Key outcomes included:
- Updated regional guidance
- New safety and efficiency measures
- Commitment to progress TBO and FRTO projects
- Commitment to advance procedures for the coordination of
GNSS RFI and data link disruption
- Commitment to enhance the regional migration strategy for
transitioning to AIXM and FIXM via SWIM
- Enhanced ATFM/A-CDM coordination
- Adoption of digital reporting tools
- Progress in the development of the FF-ICE/R1 regional
implementation framework
- Agreed actions for States and International organizations to
address deficiencies and report progress

👋 A heartfelt farewell to Mr. KUAH Kong Beng, who concluded his remarkable 13-year tenure as the Chairperson.
🎉 Welcoming Mr. Vincent HWA as the newly elected Chairperson to lead ATM/SG/14 into 2026 and beyond!

The 60th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation, Asia and Pacific Regions (DGCA/60) has been graciously hosted by the Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan in Sendai, Japan from 28 July - 1 August 2025. The five-day conference took the theme “The Sustainable Skies of The Asia-Pacific Region: Towards Increased Economic Prosperity and Social Well-Being by Air Transport of People and Goods in the Region”.

The APAC DGCA/60 opening ceremony highlighted the importance of aviation safety and cooperation in the Asia/Pacific regions. His Excellency, Mr. Nakano Hiromasa, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, emphasized the region's significant growth, with air traffic expected to double by 2043. Ms. Nakayama Rieko, Director-General for International Aviation of Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) underscored the challenges of safety, efficiency, and environmental impact. The conference aims to foster sustainable skies and economic prosperity. ICAO Secretary-General, Juan Carlos Salazar emphasized the need for consistent safety standards, with the region's effective implementation score at 67%. The meeting also addressed environmental efforts, including CORSIA participation, and economic development strategies. After the opening remarks, a sacred Kagura style dance was performed which gave a cultural touch at this opening ceremony.

Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary-General, headed the ICAO Delegation. Mr. Tao Ma, the ICAO APAC Regional Director, and Dr. Manjit Singh, the ICAO APAC Deputy Regional Director acted as Secretary of the conference proceedings supported by ICAO APAC technical officers.

35 States and Administrations along with 12 International Organizations attend the Conference. Altogether over 400 participants attended the conference including 16 exhibitors and 14 sponsors supporting the conference.

There are 100 discussion papers and 60 information papers totaling 160 papers across 10 agenda items that capture the entire spectrum of civil aviation sector. The conference has several interesting discussion papers that capture various current challenges in the field of civil aviation apart from the emerging challenges. In addition, there are a couple of discussion papers on regional collaboration that are through the spirit of this conference.

Preparation Days - ICAO APAC Regional Training Symposium 2025 to be held from 16 - 17 July 2025 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event is hosted by CAA Singapore.

ICAO ASIA/PACIFIC Wildlife Hazard Management Workshop and Seventh Meeting of Wildlife Hazard Management Working Group (AP-WHM/WG/7) are now being held in Pokhara, Nepal from 5-9 May 2025. The events are graciously hosted by Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, supported by 19 international sponsors, exhibitors and local partners.