The State of Qatar occupies a prominent position in the air transport sector at the global level, and it was able to achieve this thanks to its tireless efforts in signing and developing air transport agreements with various countries of the world, which contributed to strengthening its position as a global aviation centre.
The bilateral and comprehensive agreements signed by the State of Qatar in the field of air transport are considered a cornerstone in strengthening its position as one of the most important aviation centers in the world. These efforts reflect Qatar’s ambitious vision to be a major player in the global aviation sector, by expanding the national carrier’s network of destinations and developing and improving its cooperation relations with other countries in this field.
In this context, the General Civil Aviation Authority participated in the 16th edition of the International Conference on Air Services Negotiations (ICAN 2024), affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which was held in the city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from 21 to 25 October last with a delegation. It was headed by Mr. Mohammed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, who is in charge of managing the work of the General Civil Aviation Authority.
The ICAN conference is the largest international event of its kind for negotiating and discussing air transport affairs. This event represented an important opportunity for participants to learn about current aviation industry trends and issues, and to exchange experiences in this field. This is in addition to the opportunities it provided for negotiating air services agreements on a bilateral or multilateral basis between the delegations of the countries participating in the conference, with the aim of keeping pace with the rapid development in the air transport industry at the global level.
In a related context, the State of Qatar signed an initialed air services agreement with the Republic of Cuba, in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding to increase transport rights between the two countries. This was during its participation in the International Air Services Negotiations Conference “ICAN 2024”.
The bilateral discussions held between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Malawi during this conference resulted in positive results, represented by the signing of an air services agreement in initials, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the field of air transport. The State of Qatar also signed an air services agreement with the Republic of Suriname, and a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia, Canada and Uganda.
The agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed by Mr. Mohammed bin Falih Al-Hajri, in charge of managing the work of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.
During its participation in the conference, the General Civil Aviation Authority also held bilateral discussion sessions with the civil aviation authorities of the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Tanzania, Malaysia, South Korea, Nigeria, and Switzerland. Mr. Al-Hajri met with the heads and directors of civil aviation authorities in those countries, each separately, with the aim of enhancing ways of cooperation in the field of civil aviation and developing and consolidating relations in the field of air transport.
Qatar is Chairman of the Air Transport Committee at ICAO
Last June, the State of Qatar won the presidency of the Air Transport Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Representatives of member states in the Organization’s Council elected Mr. Issa Abdullah Al-Maliki, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to ICAO, as Chairman of the Committee, during the organization’s Council meeting in June 2024, which was held at its headquarters in the Canadian city of Montreal.
The election of the State of Qatar to this position represents an affirmation by the international community of its pioneering role and effective contributions in finding solutions to the various challenges facing the international civil aviation industry. It also reflects the confidence of the member states of the organization in the global position that the State of Qatar enjoys in the civil aviation community since its election as a member of the organization’s Council. Year 2022.
It is worth noting that the Air Transport Committee (ATC) is a subsidiary body of the ICAO Council and is responsible for providing assistance and advice on air transport issues as set out in the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Committee recommends the adoption of standards and best practices related to air transport, and also provides important information to contracting states with the aim of assisting in the development of international agreements and governmental policies related to air transport.
The Secretary General of ICAO praises Qatar’s efforts
Juan Carlos Salazar Gomez, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), expressed his appreciation for the outstanding efforts of the State of Qatar and its permanent commitment to the development of international civil aviation, and its presence and participation in such international and regional events related to civil aviation.
This came during the General Civil Aviation Authority’s participation as an observer in the twelfth meeting of civil aviation directors in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, which was held by ICAO in the country of Belize, in the presence of directors of civil aviation authorities in that region, in addition to senior officials. Officials in the aviation sector.
During the meeting, the Authority presented a working paper in which it summarized the efforts of the State of Qatar and its continuous endeavor to strengthen multilateral relations with ICAO and its member states. Through this paper, the Authority also focused on the readiness of the State of Qatar to support the effective implementation of ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs) in member states, by submitting a proposal to develop ways of joint cooperation and establishing strategic partnerships.
This proposal was supported by representatives of ICAO Member States and stakeholders in the civil aviation industry.
The State of Qatar occupies a prominent international position in the field of air transport and facilities, and is working to move forward to ensure its improvement and development, achieving sustainability, security and safety in this field, confronting all the challenges faced by the aviation community, and strengthening this sector’s resistance to emerging risks that may affect air transport operations, such as epidemics and crises. Health, in addition to its constant keenness to participate in the most important conferences and to host international civil aviation events in a way that serves the achievement of all ICAO objectives.
Developing partnerships with “Central Asia” and operational cooperation with “AFCAC”
The General Civil Aviation Authority held a joint meeting with the civil aviation authorities of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, last October in the city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan. The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation relations in the field of civil aviation, and discussed prospects for developing strategic partnerships.
The Qatari delegation was headed by Mr. Mohammed bin Faleh Al-Hajri, who is in charge of managing the Authority’s work. Mr. Tahir Nazarov, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Uzbekistan, Mr. Nazarzod Habibullah Temur, Director of the Tajik Civil Aviation Agency, Mr. Postunov Daniyar Qwatbekovich, Director of the Kyrgyz Civil Aviation Agency, and Ms. Tumbayeva Saltanat Erkenovna, Member of the Civil Aviation Administration Board, also participated in the meeting. In Kazakhstan.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, also signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), which stipulates the strengthening of operational and technical cooperation in many areas related to the civil aviation sector, such as air safety, aviation security, facilities, air transport, environmental protection, and the field of training and exchange of experiences. .
This signing comes within the framework of the two parties’ keenness to enhance cooperation in the field of civil aviation and create a strong partnership between them, and to strive to achieve further progress in this field, by coordinating some joint activities, projects and programs and exchanging information, to serve their common interests and achieve their goal of developing the aviation system. Safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable air transport in international civil aviation. It also comes from the fact that the State of Qatar is an important strategic partner of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and all its member states.
Updating the terms of the air services agreement with Algeria
Last October, the General Authority of Civil Aviation held a bilateral discussion session with the Algerian National Civil Aviation Agency, in the city of Algiers, where these discussions resulted in updating the terms of the air services agreement between Qatar and Algeria, and signing it with initials. A memorandum of understanding was also signed to open the skies and increase transport rights between the two countries, allowing the national carrier (Qatar Airways) the freedom to operate any number of passenger and cargo flights between Doha and Algeria, which strengthens economic and tourism ties between the two countries. The session also included discussion of many issues, including air safety, security and facilities, meteorology and legal affairs. This is in addition to discussing the importance and necessity of coordinating positions in regional and international organizations to enhance cooperation and achieve common goals in the field of civil aviation.