The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will organize the Global Ministerial Summit on Aug. 29-31, 2016 in Riyadh under the patronage of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz. At a press conference announcing the details and objectives of hosting the summit, Capt. Abdulhakeem Albadur, assistant to the president for safety, security and air transport, revealed that during the summit, the Kingdom will be announcing regional initiatives pertaining to aviation safety and security. This in addition to financial assistance approved by the Kingdom to support the International Organization (ICAO) program. The program seeks to assist States that are not capable to applying rules and regulations of ICAO pertaining to aviation safety. He explained that the summit will feature a large number of transport ministers from around the world with the participation of a large number of civil aviation presidents. This in an effort to determine and shape the future of civil aviation in the world, he added. The summit is organized by GACA in cooperation with the ICAO and the Arab Authority of Civil Aviation (ACAC) and the participation of a number of experts, companies and relevant authorities that deal with civil aviation affairs. Albadur also stated that the issue of passenger's security and their safety comes as one of the biggest concerns of global and regional organizations that contribute to the upgrading of the aviation industry and its development especially in light of what the world is experiencing from political and safety concerns affecting civil aviation industry and passenger's safety. "This makes us unite our efforts and to exchange international experience among countries." He further said global studies indicate that the turnout on air travel and the contribution of civil aviation sectors in the economies of those given countries will increase dramatically. The international air transport association (IATA) in their latest studies expects to double the number of air travelers in the world from (3.3) billion passengers in 2014 to reach 7 billion passengers in 2034, while the contribution to the gross national product at a global level is expected to rise from $2.4 trillion to reach $6 trillion. The rise in the number of jobs provided now will increase from 58 million jobs to reach 105 million jobs. He added that the strategic objectives of GACA is the development of secured skies according to the precise safety standards and the application of rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the safety and security of air transport. CEO of Sky Prime Salem Muzaini emphasized that the summit is an important opportunity and a strategic move for the renaissance of the aviation sector and related services in the region. "This is accomplished through exchange of the best practices in this area between leaders of our region and the rest of the world." Muzaini also noted the importance of supporting programs and regional initiatives designed to serve civil aviation sector, which is the goal of Sky Prime. He hoped that the summit comes up with recommendations that would contribute to the development of the Kingdom and the entire world in the field of aviation services. The conference witnessed the signing of a contract for a major sponsor between GACA represented by Capt. Albdur and Sky Prime represented by Muzaini. The summit will have nine scientific sessions of leading international projects in the field of civil aviation, safety and cooperation between regional organizations and the World Organization of Civil Aviation (ICAO). Financial and institutional arrangement for the implementation of projects, as well as air traffic management, flow and navigation based on the performance, as well as civilian and military coordination at a regional level will also be tackled.
