The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will organize the Global Aviation Summit 2019 on April 1-2 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here. The summit will witness the participation of high-level delegations that include transport ministers and head of civil aviation authorities, in addition to experts from regional and international authorities specializing in civil aviation. The summit, which is considered one of the most important events organized worldwide in the field of air transport industry, aims to exchange information and expertise related to civil aviation. It is also a chance to benefit from the expertise of others relating to civil aviation, all in effort to raise the quality of services and to review, the global practices towards improving safety and security cooperation in this vital sector. The summit will highlight the future policies, regulations and plans for safety and security, in addition to investment opportunities offered by the civil aviation from around the world. It will also deal with environmental protection, service improvement, development and innovations in aviation technology. The summit will give the participants a chance to review plans and strategies of the Kingdom's civil aviation sector in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The summit will also discuss a number of vital issues in the civil aviation sector, which include safety in aviation security, aircraft security and safety, air safety and unmanned aircrafts. In addition to supporting investment opportunities, the contribution of civil aviation to the economic growth of the country, plus the role of women in civil aviation and the threats and risks related to aviation security. It will also discuss the current economic policies, the private sector participation, and the concept of smart and technical airports. This is in addition to improving the passenger airport experience, cultivating and managing local talents and building a new generation who excel in the field of civil aviation. The summit will be attended by a high level of government representatives, which include transport ministers, heads of civil aviation authorities, president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in addition to a number of officials and experts from a number of international and regional civil aviation organizations. GACA has previously organized the World Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in 2016, which was a great success at a regional and international level. The participants issued a communiqué "The Riyadh Declaration", which called for the provision of the necessary funds to prepare a regional plan for security and facilities. The aim was to solidify aviation security and the application of all international conventions on aviation security after ratification by the ICAO General Assembly. The Riyadh Declaration also addressed the challenges and risks facing the international civil aviation by the constant danger of international terrorism. The Declaration stressed the need to improve the capabilities of nations to counter the threat of terrorism. It also stressed the importance of raising the level of aviation security surveillance systems and the adherence to the ICAO SARPs. The Riyadh Declaration is also a reference in international forums dealing with safety and security of civil aviation around the world. — SG
