tag

Efforts to accelerate the deployment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are gaining momentum, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) joining forces to ensure transparent reporting that can build confidence across the industry and keep aviation on track for its 2050 net zero target.“By working with ICAO to strengthen how progress on SAF use is measured and reported, we can accelerate deployment, build trust across stakeholders, and put aviation on track for net zero by 2050,” stated IATA Director General Willie Walsh.Walsh’s statement came after IATA and ICAO announced enhanced cooperation at the ‘ICAO Aviation Climate Week’ to advance transparency and integrity in tracking progress and accelerating the development and deployment of SAF.Both organisations agreed to explore how SAF registries and the data they collect can support the implementation of ICAO’s Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) Monitoring and Reporting methodology, as well as the consideration of fuel accounting systems for international aviation.ICAO secretary general Juan Carlos Salazar said the agreement would strengthen ICAO’s leadership in supporting states and industry to scale up SAF and other cleaner energies.“Achieving ICAO’s vision of net zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050 will require unprecedented levels of transparency and cooperation across the entire sector,” Salazar emphasised.The partnership is seen to enhance efforts of stakeholders in the Middle East, which is positioning itself as a strategic hub for SAF production, with industry forums in Abu Dhabi underscoring the region’s growing role in eFuel innovation.Formula 1 announced in 2024 that it is expanding its SAF investments through a new programme developed with Qatar Airways. Formula 1 added that Qatar Airways Group completed in the same year an additional purchase of SAF for use in its fleet, which has resulted in reduction of 19,000 tCO2e.The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) has also launched research projects with Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Qatar Airways to explore SAF production from local resources, aligning with Qatar’s 2024–2030 climate strategy.Beyond Qatar, regional energy giants are investing heavily in SAF. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) became the first Middle East company to receive ISCC certification for SAF production at its Ruwais Refinery, while Saudi Aramco has partnered with TotalEnergies and SIRC to build a SAF plant in Dammam.Aramco is also developing eFuel demonstration projects in NEOM, producing synthetic fuels from green hydrogen and captured CO2, underscoring the Gulf’s ambition to lead in next generation aviation energy.As IATA and ICAO strengthen global monitoring frameworks, Gulf carriers and energy firms are well placed to benefit from transparent SAF accounting systems, ensuring that regional investments are recognised consistently under international climate frameworks.“By improving our global monitoring capabilities and visibility into SAF production, distribution, and use, we can support the integrity of global fuel accounting systems and ensure that climate investments are recognised consistently and transparently under ICAO frameworks,” Salazar pointed out.According to IATA, close collaboration between industry and states, underpinned by robust systems and high-quality data, will aim to enable transparent and credible tracking of aviation cleaner energies and their contribution towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in alignment with the respective IATA and ICAO ambitions and commitments.Walsh said, “Credible tracking is necessary to know the emissions reductions delivered by SAF. The data collected by the CADO SAF Registry, among others, has the potential to meet this need...This will set a great example for individual states to work with industry to make the most of the SAF data that is being accumulated.” 

Sponsored and attended by Minister of Transport His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the International Civil Aviation Organization has held a reception for the delegations of ICAO’s Member States, on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly.The ICAO Council President H.E. Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO Secretary General H.E. Juan Carlos Salazar, several ministers, heads and representatives of Member States’ delegations, and several accredited ambassadors in Canada, were also in attendance.In his remarks, H.E. the Minister welcomed the attendees, and thanked the ICAO for its efforts for developing air navigation and transportation, stressing Qatar's firm commitment to supporting the ICAO’s mission and objectives to ensure aviation’s safety and security, and promote the sustainable growth of this vital industry globally.Wrapping up the event, Mr. Mohamed Faleh Al-Hajri, in charge of managing the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, appreciated ICAO’s Council President and Secretary General.

The State of Qatar was successfully reelected member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council in Category C for the second time in a row for the next three-year term (2026-2028), in the elections that took place today at the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada, attended by delegations of 193 Member States. Qatar secured 170 votes and topped the countries of Category C, which clearly emphasises its valuable contribution and distinctive efforts in civil aviation industry. The win also embodies a renewed international trust in the State of Qatar and reaffirms its strong commitment to actively contributing to shaping world civil aviation policies. Additionally, the reelection reflects Qatar’s leading role in fostering international cooperation and innovation in the industry to further develop its infrastructures, raise its efficiency, and ensure a universally safe and reliable civil aviation ecosystem. “We are proud of this achievement. It reflects the international community’s trust in the State of Qatar’s journey of boosting its position in civil aviation industry. Reelecting Qatar member of the ICAO Council for the second time emphasizes Qatar’s firm commitment to actively contributing to developing policies and standards that ensure highest safety and efficiency levels in air transportation,” said Minister of Transport HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani. This win, he added, reflects an international recognition of Qatar’s strategic approach for developing civil aviation’s infrastructures and improving the quality of services, and “we are committed to continuing investing in national capabilities and technological innovation to offer outstanding aviation services to the best global standards in a way that reflects our serious endeavors to achieve the goals of the 3rd Qatar National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.” HE the Minister said that they look forward to cementing cooperation with their international partners at the ICAO and working together to support global initiatives that aim at enhancing safety and efficiency and driving sustainable development of the industry, and “we are confident these efforts will contribute to solidifying Qatar’s leading role on world civil aviation map in a way that reflects its ambitious vision and serves the interests of all Member States.” HE Sheikh Mohammed thanked heads and members of the Member States’ delegations for their trust and support for Qatar’s membership of the ICAO Council for the next three years. In a related context, Mohamed Faleh Al-Hajri, in charge of managing the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), said that Qatar’s winning membership of the ICAO Council for the second consecutive time represents a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the country’s civil aviation sector. This achievement, he added, underscores Qatar’s pivotal role in advancing the global aviation industry through strategic initiatives that have enhanced infrastructure and strengthened capacity to support sustainable growth. Qatar has been significantly developing its civil aviation industry with world-class infrastructures that ensure sustainable development and meet environmental standards. It also provided several countries with training and skillsets that are necessary for their workforce to fulfill the ICAO-recommended practices and standards, aiming to enhance civil aviation’s safety in those countries. This reflects Qatar’s commitment to embodying the ICAO principles and cementing its partnerships with Member States.

His Excellency Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani met separately with the Minister of Civil Aviation of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Sameh Ahmed El Hafny and Deputy Minister of Transport of Canada Arun Thangaraj, on the sidelines of Qatar's participation in the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The meetings discussed aspects of cooperation between Qatar and each of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Canada in areas of civil aviation and ways to enhance and develop them, particularly air transportation related activities.

The State of Qatar signed an Open Skies Air Services Agreement with the Solomon Islands on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly. ‏The agreement was signed by Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, In Charge of Managing Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and HE Frederick Kologeto, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication and Aviation of the Solomon Islands. ‏Under the agreement, designated carriers from both countries may operate unlimited passenger and cargo flights with full traffic rights, further enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in air transport.

The State of Qatar has delivered an official message to the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concerning the armed attack carried out by Israel against residential premises of several members of Hamas' political bureau in Doha on September 9, 2025, which resulted in a number of martyrs and injuries.The message was delivered by Qatar's Permanent Representative to the ICAO, Essa Abdullah Al Maliki.The message stated that this attack constitutes a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar and the provisions of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, affirming that Qatar retains all its rights under international law.

Safety, sustainability and efficiency will be top on IATA’s priority list as the International Air Transport Association gets ready for the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal from September 23 to October 3.ICAO has already accepted some 14 working papers authored by IATA covering a wide range of topics for the Assembly’s consideration.IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh noted, “IATA will be participating in the ICAO Assembly with safety, sustainability and efficiency at the top of our priority list. It is critical that we secure stronger support for SAF production and CORSIA as key enablers of aviation’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.“Equally, we need agreement to follow the principles and provisions of the Chicago Convention to avoid patchworks of debilitating tax measures and passenger rights regulations. And we must shore-up safety with timely accident reports, mitigations for GNSS interference and preservation of critical radio-frequency spectrum.”Global standards, many of which are developed by governments through ICAO, are crucial for safe, efficient and increasingly sustainable aviation operations worldwide.These standards are developed with the expertise and input of airline operators’ worldwide working with ICAO member states. The ICAO Assembly is a once-every-three-year opportunity for states to align on ICAO’s work programme as it addresses aviation’s most pressing issues.“The criticality of global standards to global aviation cannot be underestimated. I am optimistic for the outcomes of this Assembly. Everybody wants flying to be safe, efficient and more sustainable. So, we have a common agenda with governments. Indeed, many of our submissions to the Assembly are simply asking governments to more effectively implement what they have already agreed. The coming weeks in Montreal are essential to set the agenda, but even more important is the following three years of work to achieve what is agreed,” Walsh added.