Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Audley Shaw, announced Jamaica’s Candidature for election to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council at the 41st Assembly in Montreal, Canada on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
Election to the Council gives Jamaica an opportunity to contribute to decision-making at the highest level in the international aviation industry. It also allows for representation of the region, Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Jamaica will harness its expertise, collaborative approaches and successes to be a key enabler of regional and international aviation development.
In his statement at the 5th plenary session at the Assembly, Minister Shaw outlined the importance of the aviation sector, stating “the aviation industry is at a most important crossroad, as it confronts economic, sustainability, ecological, value-based and other challenges.”
The Minister further outlined Jamaica’s contribution to general aviation and its commitment to the industry. “Jamaica’s commitment to the industry’s regeneration, stabilization and growth objectives remains clear. With aviation as a bedrock industry for Jamaica, our country recognizes and supports the fact that robust economies and a progressive international community require strong air transport industries for survival and growth”, said Minister Shaw.
The Transport Minister left the island on Friday, September 30, 2022, to lead a delegation of 8, including Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Nari Williams Singh and Chief Technical Director in the Transport Ministry, Dr. Janine Dawkins, to secure a seat on Part III of the ICAO Council.
In May 2022, Jamaica launched its candidature for election to Part III of the ICAO Council for the 2022/25 triennium.
Jamaica has been an ICAO member state since 1963 and represented the English-speaking Caribbean on the Council over the period 1977 to 1986.
Elections will conclude on Tuesday, October 4, where a new Council will be announced.