Dec 8, 2001 

The National Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has resolved to increase the security and safety of international civil aviation.

The Assembly which held its 33rd session in Montreal, Canada noted that the shocking incidents of September 11, 2001 could not be allowed ever to be repeated.

The meeting had about 1,130 participants from 160 contracting states and observers from 32 international civil aviation organizations.

President of the council, Dr. Assard Kotaite said, "the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in the United States sharpened the resolve of contracting states and other members of the international community present at the assembly to ensure that air transport remains the safest and most efficient system of mass transportation ever created.

"The decisions of this 33rd session of the assembly, coupled with one of the most productive periods in the organization's history will indeed provide the organization with the tools it needs to meet the complex technical, regulatory and economic challenges that lie before us."

Dr. Kotaite called for an international high-level ministerial conference to develop measure for preventing, combating and eradicating acts of terrorism involving civil aviation stressing further, "the resolution has also called for full review of international aviation security convention and annex 17 (Safeguarding International Civil Aviation Against Acts of Unlawful Interference) to the convention on International Civil Aviation, ICAO's charter.

"It will interest you to note that Annex 17 and related guidance material contain the internationally approved Standard and Recommended Practices and Procedures (SARPs) on aviation security as they apply to international flights.

"Other proposed measures include special funding for urgent action by ICAO in the field of aviation security and more stable funding through increases by states of their voluntary contributions to ICAO's aviation security mechanism.

"The applicability to domestic flights of international security standards contained in Annex 17 and the locking of cockpit doors will be given high priority by ICAO's aviation security panel when it meets later this year.

"Finally, the Assembly directed ICAO to consider the establishment of a Universal Security Oversight Audit Program, (USOAP) to assess the implementation of security-related SARP.