The 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly was held in Montréal, Canada, from September 23 to October 3, 2025, with 192 Member States participating to establish priorities for global civil aviation.
- India was represented by Ramesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA), along with senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other aviation stakeholders.
Exam Hints:
- Event: 42nd ICAO Assembly
- Where? Montreal, Canada
- India Represented by? Ramesh Kumar, Secretary, MoCA
- India Re-elected: ICAO Council, Part II
- Part I States: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA
- Part II States: Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland
- Edward Warner Award 2025: ACFAC & ACVFFI
Background:
ICAO Assembly: The supreme decision-making body of ICAO, meeting every three years under the ICAO Council.
Functions: ICAO’s Assembly reviews its full technical, economic, legal, and cooperation work programme, guides Member States, and makes decisions by majority vote, with each state having one vote as per Article 49 of the Convention.
Highlights of 42nd Session of ICAO Assembly:
Election of New Council Member States:
ICAO Council: At the 42nd ICAO Assembly, the 36-member Council, elected for a three-year term, serves as the organization’s governing body and is accountable to the Assembly.
ICAO Council has 3 Parts:
- Part I: Key states in air transport
- Part II: States contributing most to international air navigation
- Part III: Other states, ensuring geographical balance
Election:
- Part I: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA) were elected to Part I.
- Part II: Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland were elected to Part II.
- Part III: Angola, Belize, Cuba, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay were elected to Part III.
India Re-Elected to Part II of ICAO Council:
India at ICAO: India was re-elected to Part II of ICAO for 2025–2028, securing more votes than in 2022, highlighting its rising global aviation influence.
- India is consistently elected to Part II, reflecting its infrastructure capacity and global aviation relevance.
India’s Commitment: In this tenure, India will focus on Strengthening international aviation safety, security, and sustainability; Promoting equitable growth in air connectivity; Advancing technology and aviation; and Supporting ICAO’s, No Country Left Behind initiative.
Background: On September 2, 2025, the MoCA hosted a reception for Ambassadors and High Commissioners in New Delhi (Delhi) ahead of the 42nd ICAO assembly session.
- During the event, Union Minister Rammohan Naidu, MoCA, sought the support of Member States for India’s candidature for re-election.
Edward Warner Award 2025:
Recipient: The African Civil Aviation Commission (ACFAC) and its partner organization, the African Civil Aviation and Flight Safety Foundation (ACVFFI) received the Edward Warner Award 2025.
Recognition: The award presented in recognition of their outstanding work to improve aviation safety, security, and cooperation among African countries.
- It also includes the implementation of Single African Transport Market (SAATM), an initiative to liberalize air transport across the African continent.
About Award: The Edward Warner Award, established by ICAO in 1959, is the highest honour conferred by ICAO. It includes a Gold Medal and a certificate of citation.
- It is named after Dr. Edward Pearson Warner, the first President of the ICAO Council.
Key Outcomes :
Universal Access by 2050: Assembly plans for inclusive, global air transport.
ICAO Budget 2026–2028: Approved to ensure financial stability and implement strategic initiatives.
Long-Term Strategy: Endorsed for sustainable, innovative, and resilient air transport.
Airport Policies (ACI): Focus on security, decarbonization, digital travel, and air transport liberalization.
ICAO-AAI Collaboration: ICAO and Airports Authority of India (AAI) join forces to develop Indian airports as economic hubs, enhancing infrastructure, efficiency, and regional connectivity for economic growth.
About International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):
It was established in 1944 under the Chicago Convention, comprising 193 Signatory States. Its Council is the governing body with 36 Member States, elected by the ICAO Assembly for three years. India has been a member since 1950.
Secretary General – Juan Carlos Salazar
Headquarters – Montreal, Canada
Established – 1944
