During the first day of the 38th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, the 40th Edward Warner Award was conferred by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Dr. Assad Kotaite, in recognition of his eminent contribution to the development of international civil aviation, most notably in the field of diplomacy and conciliation.The award was presented by Mr. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez - President of the ICAO Council, during special ceremony at the opening of the Assembly. The Award is the highest honour in the world of civil aviation.
Dr. Kotaite’s distinguished aviation career began in 1953 as Chief of Legal Services of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in his native Lebanon. That same year, he took part in a Legal Committee Meeting of ICAO and remained associated with the Organization for the next 53 years. He was successively Representative of Lebanon on the ICAO Council, Secretary General from 1970 to 1976 and Council President from 1976 until his retirement in 2006. Soon after, he became the first President Emeritus of the ICAO Council. Dr. Assad Kotaile was presented with numerous awards granted by Member States and international organizations and was awarded Honoris Causa degrees from several prestigious universities.
Another highlight of the first day of theession was the signing of a Declaration of Intent between the European Commission and ICAO affirming their collaboration on assistance and capacity building activities to support measures to mitigate CO2 emissions from international aviation.. The declaration was signed by Mr. Siim Kallas – Vice President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of ICAO - Mr. Raymond Benjamin. According to the Declaration, the European Commission intends to provide financial support in the amount of EUR 6.5 million towards environmental action being undertaken by States in the African and Caribbean regions.
During the first day of the Assembly there were organized conference on air cargo, which was attended by Mr. Raymond Benjamin - ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Kunio Mikuriya - Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), and Mr. Oliver Evans – Board Chairman of the The International Air Cargo Association ( TIACA ). During the meeting, participants stressed the need to strengthen effective partnership and to increase the the air cargo supply chain security particularly in developing countries and high-risk areas . It was noted that air transport carries some 35% of global cargo by value or $6 trillion worth of goods each year, and that developing trade and cargo capacity in emerging regions remains a global priority.