By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN chief António Guterres on Thursday marked the 80th anniversary of the signing of the convention that opened the way to mass civilian air travel, by praising the International Civil Aviation Organization as a testament to global cooperation.
“Across the decades, your organization, which the Convention established, has expanded dramatically, from 54 nations gathered in Chicago in 1944 to a membership of 193 today,” he noted.
Mr. Guterres highlighted the significant challenges facing the aviation industry today, particularly its role in addressing the climate crisis.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from the UN Tourism agency, global travel is on track for a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, with 1.1 billion international tourists recorded in the first nine months of the year. However, this resurgence brings about sustainability challenges.
Mr. Guterres noted “Accounting for around 2 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to de-carbonize. But with innovation and investment, it can be done,”.
ICAO’s new Long-Term Strategic Plan outlines its commitment to achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
He commended ICAO’s leadership for aligning its efforts with the 2030 Agenda, ensuring that all countries benefit from sustainable aviation advancements.
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