An Azerbaijani delegation led by Elmin Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport met with Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), along with Nicolas Rallo, ICAO Regional Office Director for Europe and North Atlantic (EUR/NAT) in the city of Bern.
Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar praised Azerbaijan’s efforts in the region as an active ICAO member state. Noting that Azerbaijan has successfully implemented a number of important projects, the Secretary General added: “the ICAO has consistently supported Azerbaijan and will continue to do so in the future.”
He further stressed the importance of advancing Azerbaijan's civil aviation sector to the next stage, underlining the need to prepare a Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP). According to him, such plans are already being effectively used by leading countries in the aviation industry and serve as a vital tool for systematically planning and coordinating growth objectives.
Deputy Minister Elmin Mammadov highlighted the importance of this systematic approach for the further development of Azerbaijan's aviation sector, stating that the government, the civil aviation authority, and the aviation industry would work together under ICAO’s leadership to prepare and effectively implement such a plan.
The ICAO provided insight into the organization’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2050 and transformation goals.
During the meeting, the Azerbaijani delegation delivered the official invitation of Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev to the ICAO Secretary General. It was stressed that such a visit would not only help maintain high-level cooperation between ICAO and Azerbaijan but also provide an opportunity to present aviation projects implemented in Azerbaijan to this specialized international organization.
The two also discussed the possibility of hosting an international ICAO event in Azerbaijan for 2026 or 2027, as well as joint projects between ICAO and the State Civil Aviation Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, including expanding cooperation in training programs and the development of aviation specialists.
They also underlined the importance of capacity building in areas such as flight safety, aviation security, and environmental protection, including aligning Azerbaijani specialists with ICAO standards.
The Azerbaijani delegation also briefed the Secretary General on the current status of the “Alat Green Airport” project, stressing that the initiative embodies an innovative approach to sustainable airport development and meets international environmental standards. It was underlined that the project envisions cooperation with ICAO in the context of both national and global sustainability objectives.
The meeting also focused on the investigation into the accident involving the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft on December 25, 2024. The Azerbaijani side expressed its gratitude for ICAO’s continued support of the investigation conducted by Kazakhstan, emphasizing in particular the importance of a forensic examination carried out by a specialized and experienced institution in the field. ICAO noted that thorough and impartial investigations are among the core requirements of Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention and reaffirmed its continued support for member states in upholding global aviation safety standards.
As a result, the parties agreed to expand cooperation in various areas between ICAO, the State Civil Aviation Agency, and Azerbaijan’s aviation industry. The Azerbaijani side once again confirmed its support for ICAO’s policies on implementing global standards in flight safety, aviation security, and environmental protection.
