Between 4 and 15 May 2015 at the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal (ICAO) the Committee phase of the 205th Session of the ICAO Council was held. From 8 to 26 June 2015 the second phase - the so-called Council phase was held. The meetings were attended by the Polish Permanent Representative on the ICAO Council - Dr. Małgorzata Polkowska.
205. Session of ICAO Council was held from 8 June to 26 June in Montreal. At the begining of every week of the session coordination meetings of the UE took place. Permanent Polish Representive on the Council Dr. Malgorzata Polkowska participated in the meetings as one of the 36 representatives of the Council. During the coordination meeting representatives of the UE Members States were discussing of different point of view and the urgent need for additional meetings e.g. with ICAO external auditors, representatives of EUROCONTROL and Secretary General (e.g. about ATRP economic panel). During one of additional UE meetings Polish Institute (ICM) had an opportunity to present its project. On 8 June at the first Council meeting the Report on Development of Technical Cooperation for 2014 and Actualization of Incomes and Expenses (AOSC- year 2015) was presented. Anticipated implementation of program in 2015 and budget schedule AOSC were approved by the Council in 2014. Next Council meeting was devoted to the paper on Customer Satisfaction Surveys. On 12 March 2015 at ICAO headquarters was signed an agreement for rendering a customer satisfaction research for ICAO. Research will be provided by McGill University. It is expected, that the results of the research will be presented in term of 120 days since signature of the agreement. Report on this issue will be available on 206th session of the Council.
Next document was a Report about Air Transport Fund (TRAF), which was amended during 201 Session of the Council. TRAF came into being as a mechanism for collecting and using benevole membership fees and another donations from others donors for helping ICAO's work in the field of air transport in effective, coherent and transparent way. ICAO continues research for contribution to the fund e.g. by an on-line promotion and during several air events. Website is actualized on regular basis and now specific proposals for projects are prepared, which will be financed by TRAF.
Later the discussion on Report concerning implementation of ICAO TRIP took place. The Council was informed about donation given by Canada for implementation of ICAO TRIP program, that helped Secretariat to perform various projects. The Council got acquainted with progress in TRIP strategy work and information included in working paper. The other document was a Report about Actualization of Implementation of Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA). There was provided an information on number of States, which signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Members of the Council were informed about publication of bulletin by Secretariat ICAO, that will be issued electronically. The aim of this action is to encourage States to sign MoU. The Council recommended, that Secretariat send annual report during spring session of the Council.
During the next day of 205th Council's session very important events for Poland took place. Delegation of our Country with Permanent Representative of Poland in the ICAO Council, Dr. Małgorzata Polkowska has opportunity to host Prof. Dr. Marek Niezgódka and Dr. Jan Malawko from ICM Institute from University of Warsaw. Our guests had an occasion to present a project about Concept of Global Diagnosis Air Transport during the meeting coordinated by representatives of UE. This project will be developed in cooperation with ICAO. Director of ICM and ICAO Secretary General Mr. Raymond Benjamin signed the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the project. Furthermore, that day informational meeting for members of the Council about IBAC - International Business Aviation Council took place. This presentation described IBAC policy and showed priority issues for the industry. They highlighted importance and advantage of Business Aviation for the economy. Furthermore the fact, that Business Aviation is integrated part of air transport was stated. The most important factor is that it facilitates industry development in inaccessible regions and completes traffic operated by regular airlines. This type of airlines needs specific regulation and cooperation with ICAO, and other participants of the sector. Questions asked by Council Members were concerning mostly issues about terminals construction for Business Aviation, safety issues and dialogue with regular airlines. Next day Council discussed a Report on ICAO Program for Technical Support in the light of facilitation, safety, security, environment. Main attention was paid to projects, which were supported by ICAO Voluntary Funds and the ones financed from the regular budget. In addition the next topic was connected with initiatives which was taken as a part of “No country left behind” (NCLB) programme. This topic will provide help for Member States in efficient implementation of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and SSC (Significant Safety Concerns) that were identified during the audits. The main aim is to harmonize global air traffic. Poland suggested that it could be useful to create the information systems between regional bureaus. This could be important source of information and would lead to monitoring of this process. Working paper contained information about meetings of program NCLB and HLSC (High-Level Safety Conference), which took place in February 2015 in Montreal. This event specified results of meetings and the period of time for implementation of specific ICAO activities in safety . Proposal for Creating Aviation Volunteers (IPAV) was a very interesting idea. It could provide opportunity for ICAO retired office staff for short-term activities towards states, which need help. Polish Representative made a suggestion in her speech about a need for creation additional databases, that would include people who want to volunteer. This initiative was supported by Representative of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was noted by President of the Council.
In the afternoon that day the informal meeting about "State and Industry" took place. Director of the Air Transport Bureau and Vice Director of Economic Development discussed the topics on air transport development and actual condition of the industry.
It was described how air sector develops by years and how big role it has in e.g. tourism (more than 53% of tourists use air transport). Mr. Tony Tyler - Director General of IATA was also present during the meeting. Next presentations concerned activities of Airport Council International (ACI), CANSO and International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA). The following presentations were connected with topic of data and the possibility of its use in aviation industry. Presentations of International Transport Forum (OECD) and Polish ICM, to the Council and air professionals were performed. The one prepared by guests from Warsaw provided more information about ICM, projects that was previously carried out (e.g. for Chopin Airport in Warsaw). All projects were very good welcomed and had very good opinion.
On the 11th of June presentations concerning campaign ICAO "No Country Left Behind" took place. Air Navigation Bureau (ANB) provided the information about activities, which were taken in the frame of programme and plans for the future to assists States in the most effective SARPs implementation. Short report by the directors of every ICAO regional bureau (Asia and Pacific, Middle East, West and Central Africa, South America, North America, Central America, Caribbean , East and Central Africa, Europe and North Atlantic) was presented. Every representative talked about the biggest challenges for aviation and ICAO in particular field including information, which States need aid the most and where status became better. Directors reported also about short-term and long-term strategies. It was highlighted also how varied is each of regions when it comes to society, economy, culture and how important is to allow every State to have an access to information. Mr. Anthony Philbin from ICAO Communication Department spoke during this session. The last topic was an activity of Human Resources Fund. Very lavish donation was given by Sudan and Turkey and the need for cooperation between air companies for achieving better results was stated.
Poland, moreover, submitted two ideas: the first one regarded creation of an online forum, which would enable States to express their ideas, feedback, expectations. The whole system, thanks to that, could work better, be more transparent and efficient. The second one was connected with Human Resources Fund. Poland suggested that in this case a roadmap could work well, showing the progress being made and how the fund actually assisted in the improvement of capacity. Friday 12th June presentation of the document about prize awarded by President of the Council for very good implementation SARPs took place. This document was generally accepted by Members of the Council. Secretariat however will decide about the name of the award and the mechanism of recognition. Representative of Saudi Arabia was elected as a President of WGGE. Then the draft programme for 39. Session of ICAO Assembly, that will take place in 2016 was discussed. The place and the date of meeting were chosen. Session will take place from Tuesday, 27 of September until Friday, 7 of October in the headquarters of ICAO. Furthermore, decision about observers was taken. Representative of Poland made a proposal that Young Aviation Professionals and representatives of Universities should participate in this session. This proposal was noted by President and the list was expanded by the individual application by Member States.
After proposal of adaptation amendment 25 to annex no 9 document on AFI SECFAL plan was concerned. The paper consisted the progress in its realization and its further support. Furthermore the opinion that every effort will be taken to support African States and to avoid duplication of actions was presented. Representative of ANB informed, that coordination of activities of assistants for African states is the main aim of AFI SECFAL programme. Representative of Poland highlighted the fact, that cybersecurity is a new very important phenomena, which it is important to update status of the danger frequently.
On 12 and 13 of June the integration meeting of Council Members, Department Directors of ICAO and Regional ICAO Directors and Training Departments of ICAO (GAT) in Mont-Treblant was arranged. This meeting organized as a working group concerned building training potential at ICAO and regions in the frame of campaign "No country Left Behind" with efficiency of trainings and terminal and sufficient implementation of technical annexes ICAO (safety and security). After conclusion of the event it common list of project about short, mid and long - term plans about implementation training programmes (including TRAINAIR PLUS), improvement of communication system for States - ICAO Members by Regional Directory, was written. President of the ICAO referred also to joint initiative of establishing common platform for cooperation ICAO with Academic (Universities and Engineering Schools) for better communication and encourage young professionals to build air carrier in campaign "No Country Left Behind". Summarizing it was pointed out that as in the survey made this year among Member-States, they expected from ICAO that Organization will involve in cooperation between States for verification of training needs. States expected also from ICAO in cooperation with other UN agency and representatives of industry to build adequate and professional trainings accurate to needs of market. Report from the meeting in Mont Treblant will be presented to members of the Council during the next meeting along with (like in the past year) activities plan needed to be accepted by the Organization in the reasonable time accordingly to trainings and their growth of importance. During 15 and 16 June, Polish Delegation hosted representatives of the Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics Faculty from Rzeszow University of Technology
Our guests had opportunity to see headquarters of ICAO and Polish Delegation Bureau within the Representative of the Republic of Poland on the ICAO Council. They saw exhibition founded by Polish delegation for 85 anniversary of signing Warsaw Convention, or model of airplane Flaris LAR 1, which was also given by our Country to ICAO. Furthermore they visited another museum placed in ICAO building about Organization, also Council Chamber and Assembly Hall. Furthermore Poland has had the opportunity to be in the council for the first time for years 2013-2016.
At the end of the day the meeting with President of the Council took place. Guests visited also McGill Institute of Air and Space Law, Wanda Stachiewicz’s Polish Library and ETS University. During the meeting of the Council on 15 June the documents concerning Safety Week were discusses. First paper was about recommendation of HLSC. The Council was obliged to concern formal need of the directive as a subject of similar conferences and decided what actions after conference should be taken. Other paper was Repository Review Group oral report, that consisted of representatives of China, Libia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, United Kingdom and United States of America. Japan also joined this group. The aim of the group is to provide perpetual impact to improve functionality and integrity of system, that mechanism may provide information about possible conflicts and this group might provide information about mechanism. Next point of the session was about changes of ICAO's standpoint. This standpoint was about International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Word Radiocommunication Conference (2015) (WRC-15). Secretary General was asked to express ICAO's opinion in this case and to present it to States and others interested bodies, also States were encouraged to send experts representation for the conference. Next meeting of Sub-Group on ICAO Performance Management took place on 16 of June. Polish Representative is one of several members, like Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, France, Bolivia.
On Wednesday, the 17 of June, Council continued with discussions on safety issues. Polish representative asked a question regarding document on review of implementation of resolutions and decisions of the 38th Session of the Assembly — Safety and Air Navigation Capacity and Efficiency- if there are any further information on the safety roadmap(s) development processes connected with GASP and if ICAO is going to create some kind of Task Force or Working Group. Additionally, further explanation was asked to be delivered connected with the target group when it comes to Safety Management Training Programme (SMTP). In addition, after the Session Polish delegation asked several specific questions to documents, part of the answer has already been given by the ANB and the ANC. The document regarding PIRG (Planning Planning and Implementation Regional Groups) and RASG (Regional Aviation Safety Group) and regarding ANC work program were accepted. Document regarding ICAO’s long term vision for air transport liberalization and core principles on consumer protection was also accepted. The attention was drawn to the small number of replies coming from States to the State Letter that was issued. Poland however was one of the first which signed it and expressed positive answer.
On the 18th of June WGGE meeting was held on which information regarding the status on subgroup of ICAO Performance Management was delivered. Chairman emphasized that a Report concerning this issue will be presented on the Council Session and work will be continued. On the same day the first meeting of ICAO Policy Sub Group also took place.
Members of this group, apart from Poland are: Nigeria, Portugal, Singapore, USA, Russia and Malaysia. The representative of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the chairman of it and from 206th Session of the Council he will be also a chairman of WGGE Group. During the meeting the discussion regarding what kind of and how many policies are there now existing in ICAO took place. Poland suggested that Secretariat (the representative of Legal Bureau (LEB) also participated in the meeting) should forward the information about policies that are being created to the subgroup (e.g. regarding publications). The representative of USA proposed that Secretariat check what procedures have been already created (internal regulations) based on existing policies. Group expressed the fact that there is a need for creating a list outlining existing policies and additional regulations to see what is already existing and what is missing. That would be useful to deliver vital information for Secretariat in order to top up the list depending on Council priorities. Next meeting of the subgroup is going to be held in September 2015.
On 19 June the meeting began with the report of the EAG Chairman regarding GLADs which took place in 2015. The work has been positively adopted by Council Members. In the context of NCLB campaign the issue of decreasing the aircraft noise was raised. Moreover it was said that the language barrier should not be the obstacle for States to participate in environmental working groups. Representative of Norway informed that next year Sweden will be hosting RPAS Seminar in the second quarter of the year. Currently, the discussion about the specific date is taking place. Secretary General thanked Member States, including Poland, with regard to document Action on Assembly Resolutions and Decisions - Mid-Triennial Review- for organizing law conferences promoting ICAO. Polish representative expressed gratitude and hope aiming further promotion of ICAO and its international law documents as well as initiatives for the Organization to held Symposiums in English (for capacity building purposes) in each states it will be then possible to promote ratification of international treaties in regions but in own languages. ICAO was also encouraged to take courses and internal training on legal issues in order to increase employees' knowledge. Such courses could be carried out by LEB experts in ICAO. When it comes to legal issues and convening of the 36th Session of the Legal Committee, Polish representative supported the initiative to include space flights related issues to the program of legal work of Legal Committee and mentioning that there is one space issue working group settled in 2014. This opinion was supported by many Council Members and President who suggested that this topic should be presented to Legal Committee in AOB agenda point (since the agenda has been already agreed by the Council).
On Monday, 22 June, at the Polish Delegation Office, the meeting of young aviation professionals was held. The initiative came from the Permanent Polish Representative on the Council and two inters- Alicja Gajewska and Przemysław Kornaś and was well recognized by participants. Our guests came from Canada, USA, Columbia, Lebanon, Japan as well as different ICAO departments. During the Council meeting the document on Financial Statements and Report of the External Auditor for the Financial Year 2014 raising financial issues was discussed. Next, the focus moved to Proposed Action Plan to implement recommendations of the External Auditor. Then the Council discussed the document regarding publications for 2014 which delivered the information about translation, printing, distribution and income in above mentioned year. The subject of the last extra meeting of the Council on 25 June was devoted to the election of ADB Director. Moreover, Secretary General’s end-of-term report to the Council was presented due to the expiring term of Raymond Benjamin. New Secretary General- Dr. Fang Liu - is going to continue his work from 1st of August 2015.
President of WGGE described the report on revision of ICAO policy. He established Dr. Polkowska as a Vice-President of Committee on Cooperation with Third Parties (CC3P). Committee and thanked Secretary General for past cooperation and he expressed his hope for close cooperation with Dr. Liu.