On 16 September 2014 at the Marriott Hotel in Warsaw a European seminar on the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment (the Cape Town Convention) and its Protocol on matters specific to aircraft equipment, signed on 16 November 2001 in Cape Town. The organizers of the seminar, in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority was the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) and the Aviation Working Group. In the seminar participated the representatives of both the public and private sectors of the thirty-four countries, mainly from Europe. The Cape Town Convention is one of the most important and most innovative instruments of the international law for commercial transactions, therefore, it has a great importance for business aviation sector. The main objective of this event was to help countries in the ratification and implementation of the provisions of the Cape Town Convention and the Protocol into national law. The seminar was an opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience to hear international experts in this field.
The seminar was opened by the President of Boeing for Central and Eastern Europe Mrs. Henryka Bochniarz, who stressed the importance of the Convention and expressed the hope that the seminar will be an opportunity to better understand the benefits of the ratification of the Convention. The President of Civil Aviation Authority Mr. Piotr Ołowski in his opening speech recalled the increasing number of passengers, and the demand for new aircraft. Therefore he pointed to the need to consider the ratification of the Cape Town Convention and invited to the discussion. The speeches were delivered by the Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Mr José Angelo Estrella Faria and AWG Vice-President Mr. Claude Brandes.
During the seminar a number of topics were discussed. Secretary General of the AWG Mr. Jeffrey Wool presented an overview of the key provisions of the Cape Town Convention and the ways of its ratification and implementation. Mr. Tom Cahill - Managing Director of Morgan Stanley and Patrick Kaufer Managing Director of Deutsche Bank presented the economic benefits of ratification of the Convention which will obtained by the industry and customers. Mr José Angelo Estrella Faria, prof. Stanislaw Soltysinski (Advisor in the Office of Sołtysiński, Kawecki & Szlęzak) and Mr Alan McCarthy (Partner in the Office of A & L Goodbody) presented the competency of the European Union and the Member States in the scope of the implementation of the Convention and its impact on national law. Mr. Rob Cowan - Managing Director of Aviareto LTD presented the principles of operation of the International Registry. Mr. Yves Gelmeaux, Vice President of Corporate Finance, Cargolux, Mr. Donald Gray Head of the Cassels & Graydon and Jefrey Wool presented the European and international experiences on the Cape Town Convention. The last topic which was discussed was Contractual Practices which were presented by Mr. Donald Gray.
Summary of the seminar was conducted by Mr. Scott Scherer (Senior Manager of Regulatory Policy and Strategy of Boeing Capital Corporation, who also holds a position of the Vice-Chairman of the AWG.
The presentations used during the seminar are available on the seminar's website.
