The 57th Conference of the Directors General of Civil Aviation of the Asia Pacific Region (DGCA-APAC) opened in Incheon on 4 July 2022 under the theme of “Strengthening Regional Cooperation for the Restoration of Air Network with No Country Left Behind.”
Addressing the event, both ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano and Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar underscored the relevance and importance of the theme to the current context, noting that the APAC region has shown exemplary commitment to cooperation throughout the pandemic. Both leaders strongly encouraged the attending States to continue in this spirit of cooperation with and through ICAO, particularly as the global flight network responds to challenges related to the pent-up demand for air transport services.
This was also the venue for a signing of a Letter of Intent regarding Korea's participation in the ICAO Digital Transformation, as the organization endeavours to support its Member States more efficiently despite the pandemic by implementing new ICT technologies.
The Republic of Korea also hosted its Conference on International Air Transport Cooperation for the seventh time. In his opening remarks, President Sciacchitano underscored ICAO’s deep, long-standing and generous commitment to regional and global cooperation, highlighting that “after two years marked by the international public health crisis, and as proof of the demand for air services is evident worldwide, it is encouraging that this conference is taking place under the theme of Leap Forward to Better Skies.”
During his mission, the President undertook bilateral meetings with the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Hee-ryong WON; its Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation, Yong-seog KIM; and its Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, LEE Dohoon.
The President also addressed Korea University, providing remarks focussed on the significance of the Chicago Convention to global peace and sustainable development, along with ICAO’s associated strategies and activities to support aviation’s recovery.
