September 02, 2010 - The future growth of the global economy depends upon a robust air transport sector. At the 37th triennial Session of its Assembly at the ICAO Headquarters on September 28 though October 8, 2010, the 190 Member States of ICAO will focus on policies and regulations that will deliver on systematic and consistent improvements to the level of safety, security and environmental sustainability of the sector in the years to come. 

Ministers and high-level officials from a number of Member States and representatives from some 30 international organizations, representing all aspects of international civil aviation will participate. 

The challenge for aviation is to develop more sophisticated tools and techniques to proactively improve safety in an operating environment that is increasingly complex, due to the growth in the number of flights worldwide, the wider range of technologies from older and latest generation aircraft flying in the same airspace, and the progressive introduction of remote-controlled airborne vehicles.

This will constitute the first and to date only globally-harmonized agreement from a sector for addressing its CO2 emissions. Member States will look at a number of mitigating measures to further reduce civil aviation?s impact on the environment, including market-based approaches and alternative fuels for aviation, as well as other technological and operational initiatives to support the sustainable growth of international aviation. The Assembly will also focus on improvements to the global air navigation system and the efficiency of air transport operations. It will elect the Council of the Organization for the next three years. 

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. Its headquarters are located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

The ICAO Council adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, its infrastructure, Flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation. In addition, the ICAO defines the protocols for air accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, commonly known as the Chicago Convention.