Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Online Reporter
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and other member states to promote safe, secure, and sustainable air transport.
The commitment was made by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona at the AFI Aviation Week in Victoria Falls on Monday.
Minister Mhona said the nation’s participation in the ICAO programmes is testament to the dedication to advancing the strategic objectives of ICAO and contributing to the development of the African and Zimbabwean aviation sectors.
“The cooperation with the ICAO is crucial for Zimbabwe, as it promotes our engagement and re-engagement foreign policy agenda, championed by our great leader, President Mnangagwa’s administration.
“In line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform our country into an upper-middle-income economy, we recognise the critical role that aviation plays in driving economic growth, promoting tourism, and facilitating trade.
Our government, through the great leadership of President Mnangagwa, has implemented various initiatives to enhance aviation performance, including investing in infrastructure development, promoting air transport liberalisation, and strengthening aviation safety and security,” said Minister Mhona.
He said as a contracting State of ICAO, Zimbabwe is committed to implementing international aviation standards and recommended practices.
“We firmly believe that this event will provide an opportunity for us to strengthen our partnerships and work towards a common goal of promoting aviation development in Africa and beyond.
“As a Nation, we are proud to be part of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to promote economic integration, peace, and security on the continent.
Through initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), we are working towards creating a more liberalised and integrated air transport market in Africa,” said Minister Mhona. He highlighted some of the key initiatives that are being implemented in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe recently ratified and acceded to four International Aviation instruments that include Protocols relating to an amendment of Articles 50(a) and Article 56 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation; Convention on the Unification of Rules for International Carriage by Air; and Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts relating to International Civil Aviation,” said Minister Mhona.
He said the nation will soon deposit an instrument of ratification for the Protocol to the Convention on International Interest in Mobile Equipment on matters specific to Aircraft Equipment at the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in Rome, Italy.
