Message From the President of the Council of ICAO Mr. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez on the Occasion of International Civil Aviation Day
MONTRÉAL, 7 December 2011 - Today, we celebrate a very special birthday. On this day 67 years ago, a group of visionaries, meeting at the Stevens Hotel in Chicago, signed a document that would forever change our world.
The Convention on International Civil Aviation of 7 December 1944, marked the creation of ICAO. International Civil Aviation Day, an official United Nations celebration, commemorates the establishment of the Organization on that momentous day.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Assistance and Cooperation for Globally Sustainable Air Transport”.
Over the years, the fundamental principles of assistance and cooperation have given rise to a remarkably safe and efficient global air transport system that supports economic, social and cultural development throughout our global society.
Indeed, cooperation among the Member States of ICAO and with the air transport industry has led to the development of thousands of technical and operational standards, regulations and policies necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection.
Cooperation is the heart and soul of ICAO. The preamble to the Chicago Convention emphasizes that the future development of international civil aviation can greatly help to create and preserve friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world, and that it can promote that cooperation upon which the peace of the world depends.
As the global forum for all matters relating to international civil aviation, ICAO fosters the adherence to such basic principles as assistance and cooperation, so that air transport services can be developed in an orderly, efficient, economical, harmonious and sustainable manner.
ICAO will always stand ready to cooperate with and provide assistance to its Member States for the benefit of their citizens and the world community.
