The European Union (EU) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have reaffirmed their strong commitment to advancing global aviation safety, security and sustainability during the 9th EU-ICAO Joint Committee meeting, held on 22 September at ICAO Headquarters in Montréal.
Convening on the eve of the 42nd ICAO Assembly, the meeting resulted in the adoption of two new agreements: one strengthening cooperation on aviation safety matters, and another enhancing collaboration on capacity development and implementation initiatives.
The Joint Committee was attended by ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Director-General for Mobility and Transport, Magda Kopczyńska, Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Florian Guillermet, and representatives of the EU Member States.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, stated: “The cooperation between the EU and ICAO is essential. The agreements signed today will strengthen global aviation safety and ensure a closer coordination of the EU’s support to partner countries all around the world, in line with ICAO’s No Country Left Behind Strategic Goal. This is a strong signal ahead of the ICAO 42nd Assembly opening tomorrow.”
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar said: “These new arrangements with the European Union reaffirm our shared commitment to delivering tangible benefits for States and the travelling public. By strengthening our cooperation in aviation safety, capacity development, and implementation support—together with our ongoing collaboration in security and environment—we are equipping countries with the expertise and tools to meet ICAO standards and harness the full potential of aviation. In line with ICAO’s new Long-Term Strategic Plan 2026-2050, this milestone demonstrates that our international partnership is essential to building a safer, more secure, sustainable, and resilient global aviation system.”
Background
The 42nd ICAO Assembly takes place in Montréal from 23 September to 3 October 2025. Held every three years, it brings together 193 ICAO Member States, along with industry and international organisations.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas leads the EU Delegation, including representatives from the Commission, Parliament, Council Secretariat, EASA and the SESAR Joint Undertaking.
The Assembly will set ICAO’s global priorities for the next three years and address issues such as radio frequency interference with GNSS systems, irregular migration by air, and the election of a new Council.
In Canada, the Commissioner will hold bilateral meetings, visit Airbus’ A220 Final Assembly Line in Mirabel, and mark the 20th anniversary of the EU’s Representation to ICAO.
