A new date is being awaited for the hosting of the High Level/Ministerial Meeting on SAATM and sustainable development of air transport within COMESA. The meeting, to be hosted by the Republic of Kenya, is being organised by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and iPADIS, in collaboration with COMESA. The virtual meeting had been planned to hold from September 9-10, 2021. The organizers have said the new date would be made public soon.
This meeting will be the 2nd in a series organized by AFCAC and IPADIS. The first was in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and graciously hosted by the government of Nigeria, on 17th – 18th March 2021.
The main purpose of this meeting with COMESA is to sustainably enhance the contribution of air transport to economic growth and social progress for African people and businesses.
Dr. OB Aliu, Former President of ICAO Council, & Founding President, iPADIS
The Meeting will review the progress report on SAATM implementation at the continental level and specifically within the COMESA and provide guidance.
Currently, 12 of the 19 African States that have not signed the Solemn Commitment of the SAATM are in COMESA. Thus, the Meeting will spearhead the advocacy campaign to urge all COMESA Member States to join the SAATM.
According the organisers, the Meeting will equally provide update on the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on full implementation of the provisions of the YD; wile also promoting advocacy on the application, domestication and/or harmonisation of the Continental YD Regulatory Instruments at national and RECs levels.
Also to be provided at the meeting is the implementation status on the Joint Prioritized Action Plan (JPAP) developed with Stakeholders and Partners on the establishment of SAATM and sustainable development of air transport in Africa.
Provide update on the implementation of the recommendations of the AU – High Level Task Force (HLTF).
More importantly, the event will spearhead the advocacy for the harmonization of RECs and member States’ policies in line with ICAO policies on taxes and charges and other non-tariff barriers; while also advocating for governments to stimulate air transport demand by removing all government taxes on air transport.
Also of huge importance is the aim of the meeting to promote the African common position on vaccination passports.
The meeting is part of efforts to drive full implementation of the YD and SAATM by all COMESA member States in order to contribute to the AU-Agenda 2063.