A panel discussion during the third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels in Dubai.

International aviation officials confirmed the success of the United Arab Emirates in organising exceptional events and activities at the third ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in Dubai, thus entrenching its leading position as a destination for major international events and conferences in the region.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency on the sidelines of the CAAF/3, the aviation industry leaders said that the UAE has become an ideal destination for hosting and attracting major international meetings, events, activities and conferences given its advanced facilities and infrastructure, world-class hotel establishments and advanced service sectors that outperform their global counterparts.

The officials added that, over the course of five days, decision-makers and specialists in the aviation, energy and environmental sectors from 191 countries around the world debated and discussed the importance of reaching an international consensus on mechanisms for transitioning towards a balanced system for producing aviation fuel and sustaining the growth of the sector, and agreeing on solutions for the future of accelerating the production of clean fuel, which contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the aviation sector.

They noted that the decisions of CAAF/3 will bring about real changes, led by the UAE, in the future of the civil aviation sector and will be a major and influential focus in global efforts related to the climate neutrality agenda and sustainable development goals, a few days before COP28 in Dubai.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Authority of Civil Aviation (GCAA), affirmed that the UAE’s hosting of the conference was based on the confidence of the international aviation community in the country and its capabilities in organising exceptional events, indicating that the country is a pioneer in hosting many international events, particularly in the aviation sector, all of which came out with important announcements and recommendations.

Al Suwaidi added that the conference aimed to create consensus on mechanisms for transitioning towards a balanced system for producing aviation fuel and sustaining the growth of the aviation sector, and will ultimately produce understandings and decisions that will bring about a real change in the future of the civil aviation sector and will be a major and influential focus in global efforts related to the climate neutrality agenda and sustainable development goals.

Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), told WAM that the conference will produce successful outcomes that will help chart a road map for the development of sustainable aviation fuel.

Salazar added that the five-day conference provided a fitting opportunity to discuss developments in clean energy production and the necessary policies to support the shift towards the production of low-carbon fuels, sustainable fuels and other types of clean fuels, as well as ways to support countries to build their capabilities to produce clean energy for aviation, and to review the ambitious long-term goal of reaching zero emissions.

Engineer Abdel Nabi Manar, Director General of the Arab Civil Aviation Organisation, part of the League of Arab States, stressed that holding the CAAF/3 in the UAE underscores the country’s significant contribution to the global aviation sector, and reflects the international confidence in the influential and pivotal role it plays in the climate change issues in the aviation sector.

He pointed out that the conference highlights the efforts of the civil aviation sector in providing solutions to accelerate the production of clean fuel, which contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions ahead of COP28 in Dubai, which begins on November 30.

For his part, Katalin Radu, the Director General of Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, said that the UAE achieved great success by hosting the conference as one of the major influential countries in the global aviation sector.

He affirmed that the UAE enjoys the international confidence in hosting major events and activities, as well as the pivotal and influential role it plays in the climate change issues in the aviation sector at regional and global levels.

Dr Kostas Iatrou, Director General of Hermes International Air Transport Organisation, said that the UAE is a pioneer in hosting major events, particularly in the aviation sector, given its stature as one of the leading players in the aviation sector.

He stated that the conference highlights the aviation sector’s need for a road map that ensures countries’ commitment to shifting towards a balanced system for producing sustainable aviation fuel for further development and growth.

According to organisers, the CAAF/3 presented a unique opportunity to consider a clear and robust global framework to respond to expectations on a global framework that would facilitate the scale up in the development, production and deployment of aviation cleaner energies and build market confidence. Key elements of this framework include a collective Vision for the clean energy ambition, harmonised regulatory foundation, supporting implementation initiatives, and concrete means to facilitate financing so that “No Country is left behind” The five-day Conference results sent a strong message to the international community regarding the determination of ICAO and its Member States in addressing the impact of aviation on the global climate.

The aviation industry leaders said that the UAE has become an ideal destination for hosting and attracting major international meetings, events, activities and conferences.