UAE and Kazakhstan sign strategic air safety investigation framework

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates, and the Directorate of Investigation of Transport Incidents at the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) within a strategic partnership framework aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, signed the agreement on behalf of the UAE, while on behalf of the Republic of Kazakhstan it was signed by Talgat Lastaev, Vice-Minister of Transport.

The signing took place at the GCAA platform during the Dubai Airshow 2025, in the presence of Captain Aysha Mohammed Al Hamili, Assistant Director-General for the Air Transport Accident Investigation Sector at the GCAA, along with officials from both parties.

The scope of cooperation includes the provision of mutual assistance and facilities, the exchange of personnel for training and professional development, the participation of observers from each party in the other’s investigations, the organisation of technical visits and meetings, and the exchange of relevant information in line with applicable national laws and regulations.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) signed a protocol amending the Air Services Agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of South Africa, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the air transport sector between the two countries.

The protocol was signed on behalf of the United Arab Emirates by Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority, and on behalf of the Republic of South Africa by Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The signing ceremony took place at the GCAA’s regional office in Dubai, in the presence of several senior officials from both sides.

Bin Touq highlighted the strong and longstanding air transport ties between the UAE and South Africa, built on a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in this vital sector. He noted that the original Air Services Agreement, signed in 2001, has played a key role in facilitating travel and supporting trade and tourism exchange between the two countries.

He added that the signing of this amending protocol reflects ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity and reinforce the existing economic, commercial, and tourism partnership.

The two countries are connected by 56 weekly flights, which contributes to strengthening people-to-people ties and enhancing economic and tourism relations.

Meanwhile the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) signed a protocol amending the Air Services Agreement with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Republic of South Africa, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the air transport sector between the two countries.

The protocol was signed on behalf of the United Arab Emirates by Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority, and on behalf of the Republic of South Africa by Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The signing ceremony took place at the GCAA’s regional office in Dubai, in the presence of several senior officials from both sides.

Bin Touq highlighted the strong and longstanding air transport ties between the UAE and South Africa, built on a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation in this vital sector. He noted that the original Air Services Agreement, signed in 2001, has played a key role in facilitating travel and supporting trade and tourism exchange between the two countries.

He added that the signing of this amending protocol reflects ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity and reinforce the existing economic, commercial, and tourism partnership.

The two countries are connected by 56 weekly flights, which contributes to strengthening people-to-people ties and enhancing economic and tourism relations.

Meanwhile the UAE Aviation Safety Conference 2025, organised by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), concluded in Dubai under the theme “AI and the Future of Aviation Safety: Intelligent Skies, Safer Flights.

Held over two days and attended by more than 220 participants, the conference brought together more than 18 distinguished speakers and experts from across the UAE’s civil aviation community. Through 10 engaging sessions, participants explored the growing intersection between artificial intelligence (AI) and aviation safety, highlighting both the significant opportunities and the emerging challenges of integrating AI into safety-critical systems.

Discussions throughout the conference emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced partnership between human expertise and intelligent systems, ensuring that technology supports, rather than replaces, human decision-making in safety operations.

WAM