As part of this vision, the Assembly endorsed 25 new aviation capacity development agreements tailored to specific national and regional needs. These agreements aim to support physical and regulatory infrastructure required for air connectivity, particularly in developing and underserved States.
The expansion of the TRAINAIR PLUS program will further facilitate access to standardized aviation training, enabling countries to develop the human resources needed to manage and grow their aviation sectors. Complementary initiatives such as the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) and Gender Equality programmes also received renewed mandates to strengthen workforce diversity and accessibility across all career stages.
In terms of travel facilitation, the Assembly aligned with the Doha Declaration, endorsing a strategy that prioritizes political will and resource allocation to improve seamless passenger experience. This includes the global rollout of Digital Travel Credentials and biometric identity solutions, reinforced by ICAO’s updated Public Key Directory framework. Further harmonized measures were adopted on matters such as unruly passengers, crew treatment, humanitarian response protocols, and enhanced accessibility standards for persons with disabilities, including service animal policies.
The Assembly also reinforced the protection of human rights and dignity within international aviation, particularly for accident victims and through expanded cooperation against human trafficking.
On the economic front, the Assembly adopted several measures to ensure the financial viability of the global air transport system and optimize its contribution to economic development:
- Encouragement of air service liberalization using the Template Air Services Agreement (TASA), with preparations for the Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference in 2026;
- Modernization of airport slot practices to ensure fairness and responsiveness to public interest;
- Reaffirmation of ICAO’s principles against double taxation, supporting equitable economic frameworks for all stakeholders;
- A review of ICAO’s Core Principles on Consumer Protection, aiming to ensure coherence with national systems while safeguarding passenger rights.
The Assembly also marked the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention, passing a resolution encouraging renewed cooperation in the development of international air law. It expressed strong support for the work of ICAO’s Legal Committee and emphasized the importance of ratifying outstanding international aviation treaties – especially following the successful conclusion of the Assembly’s Third ICAO Treaty Event.
For travel and aviation stakeholders, these decisions signal a renewed global commitment to equitable access, capacity-building, and systemic modernization. ICAO’s framework will play a central role in shaping the operational, regulatory, and legal environments required to accommodate future air traffic growth and ensure that air transport serves all people and nations.
Tags: ICAO
