As Guyana prepares to host the 2018 meeting of the International Civil
Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on air transport, ICAO’s President Dr.
Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu has arrived prepared to put his full support
behind Guyana in the conference.
Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) at the Cheddi
Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Dr. Aliu said the has been much
anticipated and is being held at the opportune time when aviation is
rising.
“Guyana is a very important member of ICAO. We recognised all the
efforts the government has been making to develop civil aviation with
the understanding that it is the driver of social economic development
for integration and connectivity. We believe that this event will not
only benefit Guyana but all CARICOM and the Central American states,”
he explained.
Dr. Aliu noted that in keeping with ICAO’s no country left behind
initiative, the organisation stands ready at all times to support
member states that demonstrate the political will to develop their
civil aviation sectors. He added that ICAO will continue to work with
Guyana to enhance the level of its aviation security, safety,
efficiency and capbvacity. “Just recently you [Guyana] were recognised
for the development of your effective implementation of ICAO’s
standards and recommended practices. We are happy to be here and
support your leadership. We hope you continue to lead in enhancing
aviation in the region,” he stated.
Welcoming the President, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation
Authority (GCAA) Retired Lieutenant Colonel, Egbert Field said hosting
the ICAO Aviation meeting is a very momentous occasion for Guyana.
Field told DPI that over the past two days participants from a number
of states, including Singapore and African countries have already
arrived in Guyana. “It is an occasion we are all looking forward to
and a lot of preparations have gone into it. And on the third day of
the conference, there is a special meeting of the African Diaspora
conference.”
The conference officially opens on November 21 and will run until Nov
23, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme, “Promoting
connectivity for sustainable air transport development.”
