Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
TRANSPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona is leading a delegation in Montreal, Canada, where he is attending the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Assembly.
The session, which is attended by the ICAO’s 193 Member States and many international aviation organisations, is expected to usher in the Organisation’s new Council, which will look into the worldwide civil aviation policy for the upcoming triennium.
ICAO elections are held every three years, and Zimbabwe secured a seat in the ICAO Part 3 elections, which were held in Montreal in 2022 on a rotational basis in the SADC region.
Angola is expected to replace Zimbabwe for the SADC Part 3 seat if they are successful in the election to be held next Tuesday.
Minister Mhona is expected to address the ICAO Assembly on Tuesday afternoon.
The ICAO Assembly is the Organisation’s sovereign body.
It meets at least once every three years and is convened by ICAO’s governing body, the Council.
During Assembly Sessions, ICAO’s complete work programme in the technical, economic, legal, and technical cooperation fields is reviewed in detail.
Assembly outcomes are then provided to the other bodies of ICAO and to its Member States to guide their continuing and future work, as prescribed in Article 49 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Each Member State is entitled to one vote on matters before the Assembly, and decisions at these Sessions are taken by a majority of the votes cast — except where otherwise provided for in the Convention.
Over the weekend, the ICAO Assembly elected new Council Member States, and the elections took place for PART I and PART II categories of the ICAO Council for a three-year term.
All elected States will form the Council for a three-year term. The 36-member Council is the governing body of the Organisation.
The following Member States were elected: PART I — States of chief importance in air transport are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
PART II – States not already elected in Part 1 but which make the largest contribution to the provision of facilities for international civil air navigation.
These are Argentina, Colombia, Denmark, Egypt, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland.
Elections for PART III — States ensuring geographic representation — will take place on September 30, 2025.
ICAO is being held under the theme “United for Greater Representation,” and Africa is standing as one bloc, determined to secure stronger representation and advance its aviation priorities.
Speaking at the Africa Coordination Meeting just hours before the Assembly opened, Ms Lerato Mataboge, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, reaffirmed the continent’s resolve.
“The significance of Africa speaking with one voice cannot be overstated. When united, we transform our numerical strength into real influence; we move from fragmented positions to a powerful collective able to shape global decisions.”
This solidarity is not only about securing seats but also about ensuring that Africa’s priorities, perspectives, and aspirations set the global aviation agenda.”
The Commissioner emphasised that Africa approaches the 42nd ICAO Assembly with unity of purpose and a clear vision for its role in global aviation.
“Our continent’s collective commitment will amplify its influence and elevate Africa to greater heights in global aviation governance. Africa is not only the fastest-growing aviation market but also a critical partner for safe, sustainable, and inclusive air transport. This Assembly offers us a decisive opportunity to match our potential with stronger representation and ensure that our skies are governed with Africa’s interests at the table.”
In line with this vision, Africa has put forward candidates in both Part II and Part III of the ICAO Council elections.
In Part II, which covers States making the largest contribution to the provision of facilities for international civil air navigation, Africa is represented by Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, while in Part III, which ensures equitable geographic representation, the candidates are Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Morocco, and Uganda.
