15th November, 2017
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, has endorsed the Global Aviation Security Plan to improve international coordination, response, and planning to counter threats to aviation passengers, cargo, aircraft and facilities.
ICAO made this known in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The President of ICAO Council, Dr Bernard Aliu said the new strategic document would assist ICAO member-states in their aviation security coordination with other states and applicable security agencies.
“It will also help to nurture security cultures and capabilities, place greater focus on the role of new technologies and innovations, and refine related frameworks for oversight and quality assurance,” he added.
According to him, a set of indicators and target dates have also been established, and all associated targets and outcomes will be regularly reviewed and adjusted, taking into account all new and emerging aviation security threats.
He said the council had encouraged the ICAO Secretariat to continue refining and improving this critical living document on the basis of close continuous cooperation with states and security stakeholders globally.
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Aliu said subsequent to its first review of the new global aviation security plan in June 2017, the council authorised its transmission to ICAO member-states and international organisations for comment.
He added that 96 per cent of those replies indicated agreement with its scope and purpose, as well as the related strategies and global targets, which would continue to be refined.
The statement also quoted the ICAO Secretary-General, Dr Fang Liu as saying “the document was developed on an accelerated basis to answer the call of ICAO’s Council and member states.’’
Liu said that the respective commitments and actions of national governments would now be essential to its overall impact and value.
“This new global aviation security plan will now take its place alongside ICAO’s existing Global Plans for aviation safety and system-wide capacity and efficiency.
“And importantly, it directly responds to various resolutions and expectations regarding aviation security and terrorism which have been expressed to ICAO by the United Nations Security Council,’’ she said.