The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) hosted two meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its headquarters, namely the 34th Meeting of the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG/34) from December 11 to 13, and the 13th Meeting of Regional Aviation Safety Group – Asia Pacific Regions (RASG-APAC/13) on December 18 and 19.
The APANPIRG, a regional steering body to ensure the effective implementation of the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan in Asia Pacific (APAC) states and administrations, holds a high-level regional meeting annually. The APANPIRG meeting brings together APAC states and administrations and international organisations to discuss and collaborate on air navigation planning and implementation of air traffic management enhancement initiatives. Among the representatives are Directors-General of Civil Aviation and senior officials of APAC states and administrations. The meeting serves as an essential platform for enhancing air traffic management efficiency and addressing regional challenges.
This year, about 160 representatives from 26 APAC states and administrations and seven international organisations attended the three-day meeting and were engaged in productive discussions and presentations on a wide range of topics, including airspace management, air traffic flow management, aviation safety, and emerging technologies with milestones achieved. The CAD also arranged technical visits to the Control Tower Simulator and Aviation Education Path of the CAD Headquarters.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation of Hong Kong, Mr Victor Liu, reaffirmed that the APANPIRG was a very important forum for APAC states and administrations to work hands in hands together to enhance air traffic management efficiency and address regional challenges.
Meanwhile, the RASG-APAC is crucial for supporting a regional performance framework for the management of aviation safety. The RASG-APAC promotes states and industry safety initiatives in harmony with the ICAO Global Aviation Safety Plan and Global Aviation Safety Roadmap. About 100 representatives from 20 APAC states and administrations and eight international organisations attended the RASG-APAC/13 to discuss key safety issues for the continuous improvement of aviation safety.
Mr Liu has completed a three-year term as the Chairperson of the ICAO RASG-APAC this year. He was succeeded by Captain Norazman Mahmud, the Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, after the election. The meeting expressed their appreciation to Mr Liu, the outgoing Chairperson, for his leadership and dedication since 2020. The meeting also elected Ms Clara Wong, Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation, of the Hong Kong CAD as the new Vice Chairperson of the RASG-APAC. She was elected for a three-year term.
"The RASG-APAC plays an instrumental role in ensuring the continuous improvement of aviation safety in the Asia Pacific Regions. I am very honoured to be elected to this important position. I look forward to working with the ICAO APAC Office to further promote aviation safety with our regional partners," Ms Wong said.
The Hong Kong CAD has been actively participating in the RASG-APAC since its establishment. The election of a senior official of the Hong Kong CAD as the Vice Chairperson is a recognition of Hong Kong's efforts and commitment to aviation safety through its continued collaboration with the ICAO, aviation regulators and industry partners in the international aviation community.
Hosting these important international meetings in Hong Kong manifests the Hong Kong CAD's commitment to maintaining a safe, resilient and sustainable aviation system conducive to the advancement of aviation development through collaboration with industry partners in the international aviation community.
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