ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations and was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world.
It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection, amongst many other priorities. The Organization serves as the forum for cooperation in all fields of civil aviation among its 191 Member States.
AFCAC coordinates civil aviation matters in Africa and cooperates with ICAO and all other relevant organization and other bodies which are involved in the promotion and development of civil aviation in Africa.
AFCAC has put in place mechanisms to foster the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for the safety, security, environmental protection and regularity of the aviation sector.
AFCAC and ICAO Regional Offices conduct their respective missions in Africa in close cooperation. ICAO Regional Offices provides technical guidance and support to AFCAC and the latter supplement ICAO in developing and coordinating regional initiatives in safety and security for its member States.
In addressing the international community’s concerns and doubts regarding the ability and capability of Africa to improve the level of Effective Implementation (EIs) of ICAO SARPs, AFCAC needs ICAO’s technical assistance.
The adoption of Abuja Declaration on aviation safety by the African Union Conference of African Ministers of Transport in April 2010 illustrates the importance of the cooperation between AFCAC and ICAO that led to the establishment of the Roadmap on Aviation Security (AVSEC) in Africa.
AFCAC and ICAO succeeded to ensure the political will and support, at the highest level of Government, in setting and implementing the Abuja Safety Targets.
Cooperation between AFCAC ICAO is paramount for the implementation of the Africa and Indian Ocean – Cooperative Inspectorate Scheme (AFI-CIS) Programme, the Human Resource Development Fund and Training Programmes established to assist the AFCAC member States in improving their safety oversight capacities.