The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved a new milestone on the international stage, securing 175 votes out of 184 countries in the elections for the Executive Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the period 2026-2028, thus maintaining its membership since 1986. This victory came during the 42nd session of the organization's Assembly held in Canada, confirming the Kingdom's leading role in shaping global decisions and policies in the field of civil aviation.
well-established international standing
The ICAO Council comprises 36 member states, including some of the most influential powers in the aviation sector, such as the United States, France, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Saudi Arabia's re-election reflects its international standing and growing influence in this vital sector, enabling it to continue its role as an influential voice shaping the direction of the civil aviation industry at all levels.
Supporting the leadership and the Crown Prince's vision
The Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Engineer Saleh Al-Jasser, praised this achievement, noting that the Kingdom, since the establishment of its first airline in 1945, has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the aviation sector both domestically and internationally. He affirmed that Saudi Arabia's re-election reflects the Kingdom's valuable contributions to the development of global aviation policies, emphasizing that this aligns with the Crown Prince's vision of consolidating the Kingdom's leading role and transforming it into a global hub for air connectivity between three continents.
An ambitious national strategy
For his part, the President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Abdulaziz Al-Duailij, explained that the renewal of the Kingdom's membership on the ICAO Council until 2028 reflects international recognition of its contributions and initiatives in the civil aviation sector. He noted that this achievement strengthens the Kingdom's chances of realizing the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy , which includes doubling passenger numbers and operating flights to 250 global destinations by 2030, in addition to supporting the aviation program stemming from the strategy.
Universal message
This achievement confirms Saudi Arabia’s continued active presence on the organization’s Executive Council, and its readiness to continue building international partnerships and signing new bilateral agreements, thereby consolidating its role as a major force in the global civil aviation industry and making it a key partner in shaping the future of the aviation sector worldwide.
