A number of African States are set to gain the benefits of the Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS), a milestone programme of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aimed at boosting global aviation safety, net-zero emissions and air transport’s support to global economies. At the end of the fourth GISS held in Dubai, UAE, ICAO revealed that the symposium “Secured commitment to develop Mauritanian Civil Aviation Master Plan,” and also “Established specialized training programs in Zambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone that will enhance their technical expertise.” ICAO also stated that the GISS “Secured support from the Government of Japan for Southern African Development Community nations and South American States to enhance their civil aviation master planning capabilities.”
Elsewhere, the GISS Secured commitment for developing country fellowships with Spain’s development partners. In the Americas, the GISS established Trinidad and Tobago technical capacity partnership, while in the Asia-Pacific region, the GISS also partnered with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology for regional capacity building. According to ICAO, in Europe, the GISS also secured commitment to develop Kazakhstan Civil Aviation Master Plan; whereas in the Middle East the GISS executed agreement to revitalize Yemen’s civil aviation sector, and also concluded training service agreement with Government of UAE for women’s empowerment in aviation.
Building on the success of GISS 2025, Morocco was announced as the host for GISS 2026, ensuring continued momentum in global aviation capacity building and implementation support, ICAO stated.
ICAO noted that the GISS has made notable achievements, including securing 21 new bilateral and multilateral agreements on building aviation capacity. It has also established USD 1 Million Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Aviation Award through a partnership with the UAE Government. Further, it has equally secured a commitment from the Government of France for training 1,000 aviation professionals (2025-2027). The GISS also hosted a strategic Donor Dialogue with 30 States and organizations, yielding key recommendations for innovating ICAO’s fellowship programs to meet evolving aviation sector needs. In addition, it secured the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST) commitment to support the ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme. Other key achievements of the GISS include the launching of the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) initiative, and it also secured industry support for ICAO FINVEST Hub through Letters of Intent.
The fourth GISS held for three days in Dubai drew 32 Senior Ministerial Officials and over 1500 attendees from 108 States, setting a new attendance record for GISS events. ICAO stated that the commitments secured during GISS represent concrete steps toward achieving three essential aspirations including net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, zero aviation fatalities, and aviation serving as an integral part of a thriving, connected transport system where no country is left behind. ICAO emphasized that these exceptionally ambitious goals require unprecedented levels of international cooperation and capacity building.
Key sessions included “Innovating and Overcoming Complexity with AI-Powered Aviation,” “Synergizing Regulation and Technology for Enhanced Airport Efficiency,” and focused panels on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and financing. The symposium sessions are now available on-demand on ICAO TV, said ICAO.
ICAO Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, stated: “The record ministerial participation at GISS 2025 demonstrates the growing recognition of aviation’s crucial role in supporting economic and societal development,” adding: “These high-level engagements are essential as we work toward SAF production and financing across all regions.”
ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, noted: “Our enhanced focus on implementation support for resource-constrained states is central to our mission. Through products, services, technical assistance programs, and donor engagement we are ensuring that no country is left behind, but also that no people are left behind, in aviation development.” as he addressed the practical implementation of ICAO’s Strategic Plan.
A highlight of the summit was the launch of the Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) initiative by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and supported by ICAO and Sustainable Aviation Futures, which establishes new pathways to scale aviation decarbonization and SAF production worldwide.
Significant progress on the establishment of ICAO FINVEST Hub was highlighted during the match-making sessions of the FINVEST Hub Day. Focused on developing countries and States with special needs, the Hub will connect aviation sustainability projects with investors worldwide, facilitating targeted funding mechanisms for SAF production and clean energy infrastructure to accelerate these States’ environmental transition, ICAO also explained.
