General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) President and Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) Executive Council Chairman Abdulaziz Al-Duailej chaired Wednesday the 72nd session of the council, held in Rabat, Morocco. The meeting was attended by Heads of delegations from member states, the Director General of ACAO, and a representative from the League of Arab States.
In his opening remarks, Al-Duailej welcomed the decision to expand the executive council’s membership from nine to 11 members, describing it as an institutional advancement rooted in a deep belief in broader participation, inclusiveness, and the enrichment of perspectives and expertise. He welcomed Tunisia and Yemen as new council members, noting that their inclusion will bring valuable contributions to the Council’s discussions and outcomes.
He emphasized that the meeting agenda includes critical organizational and technical topics that directly impact the future of Arab civil aviation. These topics require a collaborative and unified action to generate practical recommendations that align with global developments and address increasing challenges in regulatory, technical, and economic domains. He highlighted the sector’s ongoing transformation, including the adoption of smart airspace management technologies, acceleration of digital transformation in airports, and the expansion of aviation safety systems — all within the framework of international environmental commitments.
Al-Duailej also underscored the importance of forming a unified Arab vision on civil aviation issues and presenting it effectively on the global stage to reflect the Arab world's institutional maturity and strengthen its position in international air transport.
“In light of these developments it is vital that we redefine our Arab presence as an influential force in the global aviation sector. This can only be achieved through the articulation of a unified Arab perspective and a strategic presence in international and regional forums,” he stated.
He also stressed the need for collective preparation for the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council elections during its General Assembly in September 2025. He described it as a strategic opportunity for Arab coordination, calling for the nomination of a unified Arab candidate with full backing to ensure the retention of this influential seat - a key platform for advocating regional interests in the global aviation industry.
Al-Duailej further highlighted the centrality of Arab human capital in building strong aviation institutions. He called for prioritizing investments in national talent through advanced professional training programs aligned with global industry standards and reinforcing institutional evaluation mechanisms linked to measurable performance indicators.
He also called for a review of ACAO’s technical structure, particularly its technical committees and support mechanisms for member states, especially those undergoing reconstruction or modernization. He urged the adoption of regional technical solidarity programs based on thorough national needs assessments, development pathways tailored to each state’s priorities, and building strategic partnerships with relevant regional and international organizations. These steps, he noted, are essential to strengthening ACAO’s global presence through knowledge exchange, the adoption of best practices, and fostering international cooperation in technical areas - ultimately empowering member states and enhancing institutional effectiveness.
Following his address, the council reviewed the organization’s governance, technical, and financial matters. Discussions included follow-up on the recommendations of the 71st session, approval of outputs from ACAO’s technical committees — including Air Transport, Air Navigation, Aviation Safety, Aviation Security, Environment, and Media and Institutional Communication - in addition to updates on the implementation of ACAO’s annual activity program and recent developments in global and Arab air transport.
