For the first time, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is hosting the 12th annual North American, Central American and Caribbean Directors of Civil Aviation Meeting which happened in Placencia today. Over 100 dignitaries from the various member countries were in attendance. The international Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO has named 2024 as the year of facilitation. Here are the highlights from the opening ceremony featuring the Minister of Civil Aviation, Prime Minister Briceno:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Throughout the course of our conference, we will engage in discussions on matters of common interest to our subregions. These discussions will include aviation security and facilitation, and challenges and solutions to the effective implementation of ICAO SARPS, gender equality, sustainable aviation, and challenges to connectivity."
"Connectivity continues to be one of the greatest challenges for us both in Central America and the Caribbean. For me to go to a meeting in the Caribbean, usually it takes at least two days. Sometimes it takes as much as three days when we're right next door."
"For us to get to anywhere in Central America, we have to go to Guatemala, to El Salvador, and then from El Salvador, we have to take another flight. So certainly the issue of connectivity is probably one of our greatest challenges that we have in this region."
"The expectation is that our dialogue and deliberations will yield agreements that will carry out the region into the 42nd session of the ICAO assembly. In looking forward, it is imperative that we focus on key areas that are vital for the sustainable development and security of our aviation sector."
Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General, International Civil Aviation
"As you are aware, aviation is in a phase of transformation driven by the need for more sustainable and resilient inclusion of diverse talent, digitalization and automation, and integrating new entrants into the aviation system."
"Innovation is firmly anchored in aviation's DNA. And this event provides an important forum for an exchanging of ideas to address the current. also the future challenges and opportunities of our sector."
"I look forward to discussing how ICAO proposed to face this challenge after the opening session, and I very much will welcome your feedback. That's the very reason why I'm here, even in the session that we will have or during the different breaks and meetings that are planned this week."
"I am quite interested in the new meeting dynamic the ICAO NACC regional office is implementing in this director general of civil aviation meeting with overarching panels and working sessions on critical topics and projects that are shaping the region."
"Your full and active participation and engagement is essential to the success of this meeting. And I want to encourage your feedback on the format so that we can continuously improve our service to you, the leaders. or in ICAO member states and territories."
