Several bilateral meetings at Future Aviation Forum in Saudi Arabia held with Guyana

The Future Aviation Forum being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has a delegation from Guyana. It is being held under the theme “Innovation, Sustainability, Growth” with focus on three core thematic pillars: passenger experience, sustainability and aviation business recovery post-Covid.

It was disclosed that it is Saudi Arabia’s first ever Future Aviation Forum. It is being held to unite international leaders from the private and public sectors, international CEOs, and regulators to shape the evolution of international air travel and put forward new solutions.  As such, the Forum is attended by more than 1500 delegates inclusive of several Transport and Infrastructure Ministers from different continents. Guyana’s Head of Delegation Minister Edghill, was invited by the Forum’s organisers to speak on a panel addressing how the aviation sector is recovering, finding resilience and emerging more sustainable. It was revealed that some of the key issues addressed by the panelists were investment in sustainable alternative fuel, make aircraft operations and airports more efficient, financing investment in aviation infrastructure, tourism recovery and creating a better passenger experience post-pandemic.

However, Edghill inn his presentation shared Guyana’s private-public partnership model as a means of driving major infrastructure investment. He said this was important especially post-pandemic, when there is rigid competition for finance from other sectors within the economy. It was noted that Guyana held several strategic bilateral meetings during the Future Aviation Forum. This was to promote Guyana’s development agenda and stimulate greater interest, cooperation, partnership and participation in the transformative development taking place in the country. Further, Government has recognized the need for a robust and viable aviation connectivity as a key requirement for development. Therefore, it was noted that significant efforts are being made to build infrastructure and capacity for both the services and regulatory sides.

Edghill held bilateral discussions with the Transport Minister of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. It was revealed that the two ministers discussed closer cooperation, tourism opportunities, aviation connectivity, infrastructural development, investment and strengthening bilateral relations. It was said that the ministers agreed to continue cooperation to promote and facilitate air connectivity between their two countries for greater socio- economic benefits of their peoples and economies. Edghill also met with the ICAO Council President, Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano to affirm Guyana’s appreciation for the level of support offered by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) especially with Guyana’s compliance programme to increase its level of compliance with the ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

It was disclosed that the ICAO Council President was briefed on the economic development taking place in Guyana in the areas of tourism, oil and gas, domestic and international infrastructure and agricultural sector. He was also advised on the need for ICAO’s continued support in capacity building in the areas of training, offshore helicopter operations and development of hinterland aerodromes. Sciacchitano expressed the desire for Guyana to get more involved in the work of ICAO at the Headquarters in Montreal, Canada and for Guyana’s full participation at the upcoming triennial 41st General Assembly in September 2022.

Additionally, separate bilateral meetings were also held with the Directors General, Civil Aviation Authorities of Singapore and United Arab Emirates to discuss technical cooperation, fellowships for aviation training programmes, aviation connectivity for cargo and passengers and technical assistance in aircraft accident investigation.