A physical and virtual seminar on building a sustainable aviation system was staged under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework on the sidelines of the 41st session of the International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly Sept. 30 in Montreal, Canada, spotlighting government commitment to strengthening aviation security and fostering greener and safer aviation for the international community.
The event brought together around 100 officials and experts from 14 countries and the EU. High-profile participants included Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu; Harry Ho-jen Tseng, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada head; Brent Christensen, U.S. Mission to the ICAO charge d’affaires; Ingrid Larson, American Institute in Taiwan Washington Office managing director; Hiroyasu Izumi, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association chief representative; and Jenny Bloomfield, Australian Office Taipei representative.
According to Wu, Taiwan is a crucial stakeholder in the global aviation community and is committed to complying with the ICAO’s highest flight safety standards. China’s recent live-fire drills around Taiwan seriously jeopardized global and regional aviation safety, he said, showing the necessity of Taiwan's ICAO inclusion, so that all flight information regions can work together to maintain global aviation safety.
Tseng took the opportunity to thank like-minded partners for their continued support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. specialized agency.
Echoing their remarks, Christensen said Taiwan’s exclusion from ICAO prevents global benefits while Larson said Taiwan is a reliable partner and the U.S. will continue to back further contributions from the country.
Izumi praised the efforts made by Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and airline companies in promoting aviation’s sustainable development.
Bloomfield affirmed the country’s maintenance of aviation operations and services with partners in the Indo-Pacific during the pandemic. Even before the outbreak, she said, Taiwan ranked 11th globally in international passenger traffic, proving that the country plays a pivotal role in global aviation.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Global partners are rallying for #SustainableAviation. #Taiwan, #US, #Japan & #Australia advanced the cause by staging the 1st #GCTF seminar on the sidelines of an @ICAO assembly. Bottom line: Inclusive partnership is key to building safer & greener aviation for all.” (YCH-E)
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