The International Civil Aviation Organization:

Abstract:

The International Civil Aviation Organization was founded in Chicago on 7 December 1944 at
the end of a conference of 54 states. The United States government initiated this conference
after consultations with the Allied Nations. The ICAO was set up as a means to secure
international co-operation in order to obtain the highest possible degree of uniformity in
regulations and standards, procedures and organisation regarding civil aviation matters. At the
same time the International Services Transit Agreement and the International Air Transport
Agreement were signed.1 ICAO's aims and objectives, as stated in the Chicago Convention,
are to foster the planning and development of international air transport so as to ensure the
safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world; encourage the arts
of aircraft design and operation for peaceful purposes; encourage the development of airways,
airports, and air navigation facilities for international civil aviation; meet the needs of the
peoples of the world for safe, regular, efficient, and economical air transport; prevent
economic waste caused by unreasonable competition; ensure that the rights of contracting
states are fully respected and that every contracting state has a fair opportunity to operate
international airlines; avoid discrimination between contracting states; promote safety of flight
in international air navigation; and promote generally the development of all aspects of
international civil aeronautics.2 ICAO has sharpened its focus in how it assists its 190 Member
States to strive for the new benchmarks of 21st century civil aviation: optimum safety and
security; the continued progressive, worldwide liberalization of air transport; a globally
interoperable, harmonized and seamless air traffic management system; maximum
compatibility between the safe and orderly development of civil aviation and the quality of the
environment; and further development of a unified global legal framework. Efficient
management of aircraft operations helps reduce delays and optimize routing and,
consequently, fuel burn and associated emissions.

1
https://www.unostamps.nl/subject_icao.htm

2
https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/United-Nations-Related-Agencies/The-International-Civil-Aviation-
Organization-ICAO-PURPOSES.html
Introduction:

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialized agency, established

by States in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on
International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). ICAO works with the Convention’s 192
Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient,
secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector. These
SARPs and policies are used by ICAO Member States to ensure that their local civil aviation
operations and regulations conform to global norms, which in turn permits more than 100,000
daily flights in aviation’s global network to operate safely and reliably in every region of the
world. In addition to its core work resolving consensus-driven international SARPs and
policies among its Member States and industry, and among many other priorities and
programmes, ICAO also coordinates assistance and capacity building for States in support of
numerous aviation development objectives; produces global plans to coordinate multilateral
strategic progress for safety and air navigation; monitors and reports on numerous air transport
sector performance metrics; and audits States’ civil aviation oversight capabilities in the areas
of safety and security.3 ICAO develops policies and Standards, undertakes compliance audits,
performs studies and analyses, provides assistance and builds aviation capacity through many
other activities and the cooperation of its Member States and stakeholders.

3
https://www.icao.int/about-icao/Pages/default.aspx
About the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations agency that works
with members of the Convention on International Civil Aviation and global aviation
organizations to develop and monitor international standards and recommended practices for
civil aviation regulations. The organization uses AWS for predictive analysis of future aviation
needs, to develop and test new solutions based on those findings, and to deliver airport data to
users. By using AWS, ICAO eliminated the performance and reliability issues of previous on-
premises systems, allowing organization staff to focus on developing its services.4

It 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. 5 Its
headquarters are located in the Quartier International of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.6

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. ICAO defines the protocols for air
accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries signatory to
the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. 7

Establishment

The Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed in Chicago on 7 December 1944 (the
Chicago Convention), came into force on 4 April 1947. The Convention established certain
principles and arrangements so international civil aviation can develop in a safe and orderly
manner, and that international air transport services be established on the basis of equality of
opportunity and operated soundly and economically.8

4
https://aws.amazon.com/solutions/case-studies/international-civil-aviation-organization-icao/

5
Höhne, Sebastian. "IT in general Aviation: Pen and Paper vs. Bits and Bytes" (PDF). hoehne.net. p. 38.
Retrieved 5 May 2014.

6
http://www.assignmentpoint.com/business/organizational-behavior/icao.html

7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Civil_Aviation_Organization

8
https://infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/international/icao/index.aspx
History

The forerunner to ICAO was the International Commission for Air Navigation (ICAN). 9It
held its first convention in 1903 in Berlin, Germany, but no agreements were reached among
the eight countries that attended. At the second convention in 1906, also held in Berlin, 27
countries attended. The third convention, held in London in 1912 allocated the first radio
callsigns for use by aircraft. ICAN continued to operate until 1945.10

Fifty-two countries signed the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, also
known as the Chicago Convention, in Chicago, Illinois, on 7 December 1944. Under its terms,
a Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was to be established, to be
replaced in turn by a permanent organization when 26 countries ratified the convention.
Accordingly, PICAO began operating on 6 June 1945, replacing ICAN. The 26th country
ratified the Convention on 5 March 1947 and, consequently PICAO was disestablished on 4
April 1947 and replaced by ICAO, which began operations the same day. In October 1947,
ICAO became an agency of the United Nations linked to the United Nations Economic and
Social Council (UNESCO).11

Convention on International Civil Aviation:

Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as Chicago Convention), was signed
on 7 December 1944 by 52 States. Pending ratification of the Convention by 26 States, the
Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was established. It functioned
from 6 June 1945 until 4 April 1947. By 5 March 1947 the 26th ratification was received.
ICAO came into being on 4 April 1947. In October of the same year, ICAO became a
specialized agency of the United Nations linked to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Chicago Conference:

A meeting of international air transport operators present at the Chicago Conference was held
at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago on 7 December 1944 at 9:30 (in Room No. 2) to appoint a
drafting committee of operators which would prepare possible statutes for a proposed
international air transport association.

9
Höhne, Sebastian. "IT in general Aviation: Pen and Paper vs. Bits and Bytes" (PDF). hoehne.net. p. 38.
Retrieved 5 May 2014)
10
"Registrations". Golden Years of Aviation. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 11
February 2011.
11
"icao.int International Civil Aviation Organization History". Retrieved 28 July 2017.
The most important result of the conference was the drawing up of a Convention on
International Civil Aviation (i.e. the Chicago Convention, the original text of which was in
English, French and Spanish), the charter of a new body established to guide and develop
international civil aviation.

The Provisional International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was established by the
Chicago Conference, as an interim body pending the ratification of a permanent world civil
aviation convention. The Canadian Government chose Montreal for locating PICAO’s
headquarters, as it was at that time the leading metropolis of the country, the most
cosmopolitan and international city; it was also the main hub for international civil air
transport.12

Chicago Convention:

On 7 December 1944, three years to the day after Pearl Harbor, the Conference concluded with
the signature of a final act that was a formal and official record summarizing the work. Forty
delegations signed on that date their adherence to the new Convention, named Chicago
Convention which set out as its prime objective the development of international civil aviation
“in a safe and orderly manner”, such that international air transport services would be
established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically.

The Preamble of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation set forth the
purpose of ICAO:

"WHEREAS the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create
and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, yet its
abuse can become a threat to the general security; and

WHEREAS it is desirable to avoid friction and to promote that co-operation between nations
and peoples upon which the peace of the world depends;

THEREFORE, the undersigned governments having agreed on certain principles and

arrangements in order that international civil aviation may be developed in a safe and orderly
manner and that international air transport services may be established on the basis of equality

12
https://www.icao.int/secretariat/PostalHistory/1944_the_chicago_convention.htm
of opportunity and operated soundly and economically; Have accordingly concluded this
Convention to that end."13

The following main instruments were contained in this final act:

1. The Interim Agreement on International Civil Aviation was opened for signature. Its
purpose was that of a bridging mechanism to permit an early beginning of the global effort
while awaiting the ratification of the Convention (see below) by the 26th State. This interim
agreement was accepted by the 26th State on 6 June 1945. Thus the Provisional
International Civil Aviation Organization (PICAO) was born on that date. It functioned
remarkably well until the permanent organization came into force on 4 April 1947.

2. The Convention on International Civil Aviation was opened for signature and designed to
provide a complete modernization of the basic public international law of the air. After
ratification by twenty-six States, it came into effect on 4 April 1947 (30 days after the
26th State had ratified the Chicago Convention) with the constitution of the new
permanent International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, thus bringing an end to
PICAO.

3. The International Air Services Transit Agreement or "Two Freedom" agreement, under
which the aircraft of member states may fly over each other's territory and land for non-
traffic purposes, e.g. refuelling. This document was a great step forward in the path of
international air transport development over a large part of the world.

4. The International Air Transport Agreement or "Five Freedom" agreement. In addition to

the first two freedoms of the agreement mentioned above, three freedoms concerning
commercial transport rights were enacted.

5. The Drafts of twelve Technical Annexes (numbered from A to L) cover the technical and
operational aspects of international civil aviation, such as airworthiness of aircraft, air
traffic control, telecommunications, etc. The conference achieved real advances in
technical matters that would make international flying much safer, more reliable and more
straightforward than it had been before the Second World War. From twelve Technical
Annexes defined by the Conference, nineteen Annexes to the Convention are now
maintained to achieve standardization through a uniform application of international
standards and recommended practices.

13
https://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/doc7300.aspx
6. A standard form of Bilateral Agreement for the exchange of air routes was prepared and
recommended by the Conference as part of its final act.14

Membership

As of November 2017, there are 192 ICAO members, consisting of 191 of the 193 UN
members (all but Dominica, Liechtenstein), plus the Cook Islands. ("Member States" (PDF).
ICAO. Retrieved 2017-07-19.) Liechtenstein has delegated Switzerland to implement the
treaty to make it applicable in the territory of Liechtenstein.

The Republic of China was a founding member of ICAO but was replaced by People's
Republic of China as the legal representative of China in 1971 and as such, did not take part
in the organization. In 2013, the Republic of China was for the first time invited to attend 38th
session of ICAO Assembly as a guest under the name of Chinese Taipei.

Vision and Mission:

Achieve the sustainable growth of the global civil aviation system. To serve as the global
forum of States for international civil aviation. ICAO develops policies and Standards,
undertakes compliance audits, performs studies and analyses, provides assistance and builds
aviation capacity through many other activities and the cooperation of its Member States and
stakeholders.15

Aims and objectives:

 Aviation Safety
 Air Navigation Capacity and Efficiency
 Security and Facilitation
 Economic Development
 Environmental Protection

Article–4 of ICAO convention mentioned 9 aims and objectives, summarized as follows –

 Ensuring safe and orderly growth of international Civil aviation.

14
https://www.icao.int/secretariat/PostalHistory/1944_the_chicago_convention.htm

15
https://www.icao.int/about-icao/Council/Pages/vision-and-mission.aspx
 Encouraging the arts of aircraft design and operation.
 Encouraging the development of airways, air ports and air navigation.
 Preventing economic waste.
 Ensuring the rights of contracting states.

How it works:

The constitution of ICAO is the Convention on International Civil Aviation, drawn up by a

conference in Chicago in November and December 1944, and to which each ICAO
Contracting State is a party. According to the terms of the Convention, the Organization is
made up of an Assembly, a Council of limited membership with various subordinate bodies
and a Secretariat. The chief officers are the President of the Council and the Secretary General.

The Assembly, composed of representatives from all Contracting States, is the sovereign body
of ICAO. It meets every three years, reviewing in detail the work of the Organization and
setting policy for the coming years. It also votes a triennial budget.

The Council, the governing body which is elected by the Assembly for a three-year term, is
composed of 36 States. The Assembly chooses the Council Member States under three
headings: States of chief importance in air transport, States which make the largest
contribution to the provision of facilities for air navigation, and States whose designation will
ensure that all major areas of the world are represented. As the governing body, the Council
gives continuing direction to the work of ICAO. It is in the Council that Standards and
Recommended Practices are adopted and incorporated as Annexes to the Convention on
International Civil Aviation. The Council is assisted by the Air Navigation Commission
(technical matters), the Air Transport Committee (economic matters), the Committee on Joint
Support of Air Navigation Services and the Finance Committee.

The Secretariat, headed by a Secretary General, is divided into five main divisions: the Air
Navigation Bureau, the Air Transport Bureau, the Technical Co-operation Bureau, the Legal
Bureau and the Bureau of Administration and Services. In order that the work of the Secretariat
reflects a truly international perspective, professional-level personnel are recruited on a broad
geographical basis.

Activities:

 Establishment of International standard, recommended practices and procedure, covering

technical fields of aviation.
 Development of satellite- based system for future communication, navigation, surveillance
air traffic management.
 Regional planning of air navigation facilities and services.
 Adaptation of modern systems and techniques.
 Reporting aircraft accident and incident data, all- weather operations, automation of air
traffic services.
 Prevent unlawful interference with Civil aviation.16

Standards of ICAO:

ICAO also standardizes certain functions for use in the airline industry, such as the
Aeronautical Message Handling System (AMHS). This makes it a standards organization.

Each country should have an accessible Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), based on
standards defined by ICAO, containing information essential to air navigation. Countries are
required to update their AIP manuals every 28 days and so provide definitive regulations,
procedures and information for each country about airspace and airports. ICAO's standards
also dictate that temporary hazards to aircraft are regularly published using NOTAMs.

ICAO defines an International Standard Atmosphere (also known as ICAO Standard

Atmosphere), a model of the standard variation of pressure, temperature, density, and viscosity
with altitude in the Earth's atmosphere. This is useful in calibrating instruments and designing
aircraft.17

Significance of ICAO:

A. Improves Air Navigation Planning Workflow and Data Management:

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United
Nations (UN). It serves as a global forum for member states to work together toward the safe,
secure, and sustainable development of civil aviation.

16
http://www.assignmentpoint.com/business/organizational-behavior/icao.html

17
Manual of the ICAO Standard Atmosphere: extended to 80 kilometres (262,500 feet) (in English,
French, Spanish, and Russian) (3rd ed.). Montreal: ICAO. 1993. ISBN 92-9194-004-6. Archived
from the original (CD-ROM) on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
ICAO works in close cooperation with other members of the UN, including the World
Meteorological Organization, the International Telecommunications Union, the Universal
Postal Union, the World Health Organization, and the International Maritime Organization.
Nongovernmental organizations also participate with ICAO and include the International Air
Transport Association, the Airports Council International, the International Federation of Air
Line Pilots’ Associations, and the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot
Associations.

The ICAO electronic Air Navigation Planning [eANP] GIS portal is a gateway combining a
database and Internet-based GIS technology allowing authorized users to submit, store, update,
manipulate, analyze, and chart global air navigation planning data from a centralized ICAO
server. Phase one of eANP was deployed in fall 2008 and makes the ICAO Global Air
Navigation Plan (GANP) database available to many users: states, the ICAO Council, ICAO
staff at headquarters and in the field, regional planning and implementation groups, aviation
partners, other UN agencies, civil aviation entities, and the public. Users access the GIS portal
via the Internet to browse data directly using a variety of clients depending on the use of the
application, including Microsoft® Internet Explorer®, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer, or ArcGIS
desktop clients.

Essentially, eANP displays dynamic, interactive charts. Users are now able to perform many
different functions besides viewing the data. They can create and view what-if scenarios of
new routes, chart traffic flow information with other user-selected criteria, and update the data.
Users can “fly” 3D electronic Terrain and Obstacle Databases (eTOD) in ArcGIS Explorer.
Global air navigation plans available in the GIS portal include Air Traffic Safety charts
(ATSanp), Flight Information Region charts (FIRanp), Air Traffic Management charts (ATM),
Aerodome Operational Planning (AOP) satellite images, regional charts, and many other
thematic maps. The GIS portal can be accessed online at http://192.206.28.81/eganp/.18

B. Global Aviation Leadership:

ICAO has sharpened its focus in how it assists its 190 Member States to strive for the new
benchmarks of 21st century civil aviation: optimum safety and security; the continued
progressive, worldwide liberalization of air transport; a globally interoperable, harmonized
and seamless air traffic management system; maximum compatibility between the safe and
orderly development of civil aviation and the quality of the environment; and further
development of a unified global legal framework. All are top priorities for the Organization

18
https://www.esri.com/library/casestudies/icao.pdf
and the industry as we assess our collective horizons. Under the leadership of the Secretary
General, ICAO began implementing its first ever Business Plan in 2005. The ultimate goal of
this new way of doing business is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the
Organization, to become even more performance based and results-oriented, and to introduce
working methods that will lead to increased efficiency while making prudent use of limited
resources. The Business Plan promotes a higher level of functional integration between
Headquarters and the Regional Offices. It is an excellent coordination instrument for
programmers and activities, and it is dynamic. A built-in review process will ensure that the
Plan is realigned periodically with the changing external environment and critical
developments in the air transport world. At the heart of the Business Plan are six strategic
objectives derived from the Organization’s vision and mission of providing for the safe, secure
and sustainable development of civil aviation through cooperation amongst its Member States.

I. Enhance global civil aviation safety:

Safety is improving globally. In spite of a large increase in traffic, the absolute number of
accidents has remained stable and there is even a tendency towards an overall decrease. Yet
this is not uniform around the world. The aviation community must focus on areas of the world
that are most challenging to safety. It is a moral imperative in a context of increased openness
and cooperation. It is also a smart thing to do, as relatively limited effort can yield significant
improvements in the level of safety in the regions under consideration. Moreover, it would
impact positively the worldwide safety level. Over the past three years, increased transparency,
growing political will and a proactive, cooperative approach by icao and major aviation
stakeholders have focussed on performance and results.

Meeting the Global Safety Challenge:

The overall challenge for aviation safety is to drive an already low accident rate even lower,
according to three targets for 2011-2016 set by ICAO:

1) to reduce the number of fatal accidents and fata - lities worldwide irrespective of the
volume of air traffic;
2) to achieve a significant decrease in accident rates, particularly in regions where these
remain high, and;
3) to ensure that no single ICAO region shall have an accident rate more than twice the
worldwide rate by the end of 2011—based on a five-year sliding average.

II. Enhance global civil aviation security:

Aviation security statistics for the past few years point to a global air transport system that is
as secure as it has even been for air travellers, in spite of the growth and increasing complexity
of operations. Between 2004 and 2006, there were four seizures of aircraft on an estimated
total of 75 million flights. Beyond a strong regulatory framework of ICAO standards and
policies, this performance can largely be attributed to the myriad security measures
implemented by states, enforcement agencies, airport authorities and other concerned parties
since the events of 11 september 2001. Together, these initiatives have thwarted acts of
unlawful interference that would otherwise have been successful in weakening the integrity of
international civil aviation.19

III. Minimize the adverse effect of global civil aviation on the environment:

Leadership in global affairs may today be best defined by decision making not only based on
sound technological acumen, cultural sensitivity and market awareness, but increasingly by
the capacity to fully comprehend the global threats to planetary, social and commercial
systems resulting from inaction in dealing with environmental issues. As has been
demonstrated many times in the past, addressing these challenges successfully requires
creative problem solving, willingness to compromise and a shared political motivation. This
is not an easy task. Air transport, with its uniquely cooperative history and structure, holds the
potential to become a beacon of environmental partnership, awareness and achievement as it
comes to grips with one of the greatest challenges it has faced.20

IV. Enhance the efficiency of aviation operations:

ICAO has integrated its work in this area into its new Business Plan, which stresses the
implementation of harmonized air traffic management systems and performance-based
efficiency improvements, as well as increased functional integration between ICAO
Headquarters and Regional Offices. Through innovative methods, the Global Plan will
facilitate planning and implementation of important operational developments that have taken
place in recent years, particularly with regards to aircraft capabilities. It will also ensure that
opportunities that have emerged as technologies have matured, as research and trials have been
success - fully concluded, and as procedures and specifications have been finalized, are fully
exploited.21

19
ICAO Journal
20
https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Documents/Publications/6204_en.pdf

21
https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Documents/Publications/6204_en.pdf
C. ICAO And Climate Change

Emissions from international aviation are specifically excluded from the targets agreed under
the Kyoto Protocol. Instead, the Protocol invites developed countries to pursue the limitation
or reduction of emissions through the International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO's
environmental committee continues to consider the potential for using market-based measures
such as trading and charging, but this work is unlikely to lead to global action. It is currently
developing guidance for states who wish to include aviation in an emissions trading scheme
(ETS) to meet their Kyoto commitments, and for airlines who wish to participate voluntarily
in a trading scheme.

Emissions from domestic aviation are included within the Kyoto targets agreed by countries.
This has led to some national policies such as fuel and emission taxes for domestic air travel
in the Netherlands and Norway, respectively. Although some countries tax the fuel used by
domestic aviation, there is no duty on kerosene used on international flights.22

ICAO is currently opposed to the inclusion of aviation in the European Union Emission
Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The EU, however, is pressing ahead with its plans to include
aviation.23

I. Agreement on CO2 emissions from international aviation:

On October 6, 2016, the ICAO finalized an agreement among its 191 member nations to
address the more than 1000 t of carbon dioxide emitted annually by international passenger
and cargo flights. The agreement will use an offsetting scheme called CORSIA (the Carbon
Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) under which forestry and other
carbon-reducing activities are directly funded, amounting to about 2% of annual revenues for
the sector. Rules against 'double counting' should ensure that existing forest protection efforts
are not recycled. The scheme does not take effect until 2021 and will be voluntary until 2027,
but many countries, including the US and China, have promised to begin at its 2020 inception
date. Under the agreement, the global aviation emissions target is a 50% reduction by 2050
relative to 2005.24

22
"Climate Change: Aviation Emissions, an ignored but fast growing problem" (PDF). greenskies.org. 2005.
Retrieved 3 August 2011
23
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Civil_Aviation_Organization

24
Gill, Michael. "Preparing for CORSIA Take-Off"(PDF). IETA.org. Retrieved 19 September 2017) NGO
reaction to the deal was mixed. (Milman, Oliver (6 October 2016). "First deal to curb aviation emissions agreed
in landmark UN accord". The Guardian. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 2016-10-20
II. Drone regulations and registration

ICAO is looking at having a singular ledger for drone registration to help law enforcement
globally. Currently, ICAO is responsible for creating drone regulations across the globe, and
it is expected that it will only maintain the registry. This activity is seen as a forerunner to
global regulations on the drone flying from ICAO.25

ICAO currently maintains the 'UAS Regulation Portal'26 for various countries to list their
country's UAS regulations and also review the best practices from across the globe.

III. Market-based Measures: Emissions Trading:

Despite the fact that improvements in technology and more efficient air traffic management
solutions hold promise for additional emissions reductions in the future, market-based
solutions are also an important part of this solution. CAEP/7 proposed guidance for
incorporating international aviation emissions into national emissions trading schemes,
consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process. The
guidance focuses on those aspects of emissions trading related to aviation-specific issues and
provides preferred options for the elements of various trading systems. It proposes that: aircraft
operators be the accountable international aviation entity for purposes of emissions trading;
obligations be based upon aggregate emissions from all international flights performed by each
aircraft operator included in the scheme; States, in applying an inclusion threshold, consider
aggregate air transport activity (e.g., CO2 emissions) and/or aircraft weight as the basis for
inclusion; States start with an emissions trading scheme that includes CO2 alone; States apply
the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change definition of international and domestic
emissions for the purpose of accounting for greenhouse gas emissions as applied to civil
aviation; States will need to put in place an accounting arrangement that ensures that emissions
from international aviation are counted separately and not against the specific reduction targets
that States may have under the Kyoto Protocol; Regarding trading units, States will need to
consider economic efficiency, environmental integrity, as well as equity and competitiveness
when making a choice. 27

D. Operational Measures:

25
"UN proposes global database for drone registration". Geospatial World. 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
26
"UAS Regulation Portal". www.icao.int. Retrieved 2017-10-06
27
https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Documents/Publications/6204_en.pdf
Efficient management of aircraft operations helps reduce delays and optimize routing and,
consequently, fuel burn and associated emissions. Studies suggest that improvements in air
traffic management could help improve overall efficiency by 6 to 12 per cent, and that the
potential for reducing fuel burn and emissions by further optimization of other operational
measures, such as aircraft speed, aircraft weight, etc., is on the order of 6 per cent. In 2003,
ICAO published gui - dance material on the subject for airports, airlines and other stakeholders
and during CAEP/7 the third workshop to promote these measures was held at ICAO
Headquarters. The CAEP/7 meeting also produced initial studies on the environmental benefits
of the use of CDAs (continuous descent arrivals), basic rules of thumb for asses sing the
environmental benefits of RVSMs (reduced vertical separation minima) and a new ICAO
circular on noise abatement departure procedures (NADP) was developed to provide
information on their noise and emissions (NOx and CO2/fuel effects).28

Achievements:

I. Global Standards and Aviation: A Winning Combination:

Since 2001, our approach to security has been anything but harmonized. Countries reacted to
an emergency situation with unilateral measures—waiting for global consensus was not an
option. In the six years that followed, we have made aviation much more secure. But we have
failed to turn the unilateral measures into a global risk-based system. Passengers suffer hassles
while airlines bear the brunt of high costs. We have made some progress. The common
approach to liquids and gels is a good example. But much more must be done. Security sits
firmly on the agenda of this year’s ICAO Assembly as a priority item. ICAO’s 190 Member
States share a commitment to providing secure air transport.29

 Implementation of satellite technology that allows more direct flights, resulting less fuel
burn and less pollution.
 Gradual restoration of passenger’s confidence in International travel.
 Traffic development in north America, Asia/Pacific, Africa, Middle East and Latin
America.
 Increase of total scheduled passenger traffic, generated by airlines, based on ICAO
contracting parties.
 World Airline passenger traffic is forecast to rebound with 4.4 percent growth in 2004.30

28
https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Documents/Publications/6204_en.pdf
29
By Giovanni Bisignani, DG and CEO of IATA-ICAO Journal
30
http://www.assignmentpoint.com/business/organizational-behavior/icao.html
II. ICAO and Safety:

Aviation safety is at the core of ICAO’s fundamental Objectives. The organization is

constantly striving, in close collaboration with the entire air transport community, to further
improve aviation’s successful safety performance while maintaining a high level of capacity
and efficiency. This is achieved through:

1. The development of global strategies contained in the Global Aviation Safety Plan and
the Global Air Navigation Plan;
2. The development and maintenance of Standards, Recommended Practices and
Procedures applicable to international civil aviation activities which are contained in 16
Annexes and 4 PANS (Procedures for Air Navigation Services). These standards are
complemented by more than 50 Manuals and Circulars which are providing guidance on
their implementation.
3. The monitoring of safety trends and indicators. ICAO audits the implementation of its
Standard, Recommended Practices and Procedures through its Universal Safety
Oversight Audit Programme. It has also developed sophisticated tools to collects and
analyse a vast array of safety data which allows to identify existing and emerging risks
4. The implementation of targeted safety programmes to address safety and infrastructure
deficiencies; and
5. An effective response to disruption of the aviation system created by natural disasters,
conflicts or other causes.

In all of its highly coordinated safety activities, ICAO strives to implement practical and
achievable measures to improve safety and efficiency in all sectors of the air transportation
system. This approach ensures that aviation’s complimentary achievements of a remarkably
safe and efficient air transport network continue to serve a fundamental role in supporting
global social and economic priorities.31

III. ICAO and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

ICAO’s Strategic Objectives are strongly linked to 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). The Organization is fully committed to work in close cooperation
with States and other UN Bodies to support related targets.

31
https://www.icao.int/safety/Pages/default.aspx
 ICAO is also an official observer on the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable
Development Goal Indicators and is the custodian agency of global indicator 9. 1.2 Passenger
and Freight Volumes, by Mode of Transport within the 2030 Agenda framework. ICAO
continuously contributes to monitoring efforts of the 2030 Agenda and other development
frameworks as appropriate.32

Criticism of ICAO

i. Fails to Act on climate plans.

ii. Launched a carbon calculator, which still yield misleading results.
iii. Lackings to classify airspace and corresponding from of air traffic service.
iv. Failed to address different formalized messages, used in planning airspace use and sir
traffic control.
v. Failed to fulfill the requirement to complete information.
vi. Failed to reach agreement regarding stricter noise standards.
vii. Two leading officials, without a distinct delimitation of their jurisdiction.33

Recommendation:

i. To Act on climate plans, adopted by UN bodies.

ii. To consider its choice on available technologies and their likely effects on privacy and
Civil liberties.
iii. To operate a process of systematic dialogue between ICAO and regional organization.
iv. Fulfill the requirement of complete information.
v. To Delimit, the jurisdiction of president of council and the secretary general.
vi. To make the negotiation process effective and swift with the developed states.34

Conclusion:

ICAO’s development and implementation of global standards has fostered the development of
safe and sustainable aviation. Over 12,000 Standards and Recommended Practices have now
been appended to the 19 annexes of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, upon
which ICAO is founded. All of these have been developed and adopted on the basis of

32
https://www.icao.int/about-icao/aviation-development/Pages/SDG.aspx

33
http://www.assignmentpoint.com/business/organizational-behavior/icao.html

34
http://www.assignmentpoint.com/business/organizational-behavior/icao.html
intensive cooperation and consensus amongst ICAO’s member States, of which there are
currently 191. They cover every international aspect of the industry: capacity and efficiency,
security and facilitation, economic development, environmental impact, and of course safety,
which is always the first priority in aviation. Air transport today carries more than 3.5 billion
passengers and 51 million tonnes of freight annually. Another very important aspect of
successful standardization, in a context made up of very diversely resourced States and
operators, is the work ICAO does to monitor compliance and coordinate targeted assistance to
ensure effective Standards implementation. No Country Left Behind’ initiative, to ensure that
all States and Regions have the assistance and, ultimately, the resources and partners they need
to effectively set out and adhere to ICAO’s provisions.35 ICAO’s Strategic Objectives are
strongly linked to 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The
Organization is fully committed to work in close cooperation with States and other UN Bodies
to support related targets.

ICAO is also an official observer on the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Sustainable
Development Goal Indicators and is the custodian agency of global indicator 9.1.2 Passenger
and Freight Volumes, by Mode of Transport within the 2030 Agenda framework. ICAO
continuously contributes to monitoring efforts of the 2030 Agenda and other development
frameworks as appropriate.36

35
https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/ICAO-stresses-importance-of-civil-aviation-standards-to-safety-
Secretary-General-at-ISO-General-Assembly.aspx

36
https://www.icao.int/about-icao/aviation-development/Pages/SDG.aspx
Bibliography
https://www.icao.int/Pages/default.aspx
http://w\vw.icao.int/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Civil_Aviation_Organization
http://www.icao.on.-ca/
http://www.icao.int/icaonet/dcs/7300.html
http://www.icao.int/cgi/statesDB4.pl7en/
http://www.icao.int/icao/en/howworks.htm
http://www.icao.int/icao/en/icao emblem history.pdf
http://www.icao.int/fsix/
http://www.icao.int/anb/FLS/icaosafety.html
http://www.icao.int/atb/avsec/
http://www2.icao.int/en/ssa/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.easa.europa.eu/
http://Icao.Int/enr./meetings/2008
http://www.airneth.com
http://parish.icao.int
http://wwwicao.int/en/biog/perira-int.htm
https://www.icao.int/
https://www.icao.int/about-icao