Source: ICAO
- GISS 2026 Concludes with Global Commitments to Strengthen Aviation Implementation and Capacity
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS 2026) has concluded in Marrakech, bringing together 1,450 participants from 101 States to strengthen global aviation systems in accordance with ICAO’s strategic plan for 2050, which includes a commitment to “No Country Left Behind” and envisions air transport for all, with zero fatalities and net zero carbon emissions.
Over three days, the Symposium delivered a series of commitments, partnerships, and implementation initiatives aimed at enhancing aviation safety, security, sustainability, and connectivity worldwide, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that all States can effectively implement ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma highlighted the importance of universal implementation, noting that “Ensuring that every State has the capacity to implement global aviation standards is essential to the safety and resilience of the entire system.”
Commitments Driving Implementation
A central milestone of GISS 2026 was the Ministerial Roundtable, which brought together 22 Ministers responsible for civil aviation. Through the Marrakech Call to Action, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening governance and institutional capacities, unlocking aviation growth and development through adequate funding and financing of aviation, empowering the next generation of aviation professionals and ensuring collective implementation and accountability.
The Call to Action reflects a shared commitment to ICAO’s No Country Left Behind strategic goal, ensuring that all States can participate in and benefit from the growth of global aviation.
From Commitments to Action
GISS 2026 served as a platform to translate dialogue into concrete implementation outcomes.
During the Symposium, ICAO and its partners:
- Concluded 39 bilateral and multilateral agreements supporting aviation capacity development
- Secured new financial commitments to support implementation programmes
- Strengthened partnerships between States, industry, and development institutions
These outcomes reflect a growing alignment between policy commitments and implementation support, enabling States to accelerate progress toward ICAO’s Strategic Goals.
Enabling Growth and Opportunity
The outcomes of GISS 2026 also respond to the scale of aviation growth ahead. By 2050, global passenger traffic is expected to increase nearly threefold, while air cargo volumes are projected to grow by more than two and a half times. Much of this growth will occur in emerging and high-potential markets.
Through its global framework of standards, practices, and implementation support, ICAO is working with States and partners to ensure that this growth translates into safe, secure, sustainable, and inclusive aviation development. GISS provides a unique platform to connect States with partners, mobilize investment, and advance practical solutions that unlock aviation’s full potential.
Global and Regional Impact
The initiatives advanced at GISS 2026 reflect ICAO’s global reach and impact across all regions.
Global Agreements
At GISS 2026, new global partnerships strengthened ICAO’s safety and capacity initiatives. Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a voluntary contribution supporting safety activities. The United Kingdom’s Department for Transport formalized voluntary contributions and a Training Programme for ICAO courses in Africa. Airbus provided a voluntary contribution towards both the deployment of safety capacity development activities and environmental initiatives, while Boeing’s voluntary contribution focused on safety capacity development activities. Aviation Services Association World signed an annex for a training course on aircraft turnaround procedures. IATA signed an MoU on capacity development and implementation, and IFALPA formalized both an MoU and annex for global runway safety training.
Africa
African States and organizations signed a range of agreements to develop aviation capacity and safety. Angola’s Ministry of Transport and ANAC signed a Project Document for a Civil Aviation Master Plan and committed to host GISS 2027. Cabo Verde’s Civil Aviation Authority formalized a Training Project Document for three years of ICAO training. Eswatini’s ESWACAA signed a Management Service Agreement on capacity development and a Training Project Document for facilitation training. Morocco’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics signed a Training Project Agreement and a Project Document for facilitation and security enhancements. Nigeria completed a Project Handover for a Civil Aviation Master Plan. South Sudan’s Ministry of Transport signed a Project Document for developing a Civil Aviation Master Plan, a Management Service Agreement, and a Training Project Document covering safety and air transport. Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority and CASSOA committed to Training Service Agreements and broad deployment of ICAO training.
Americas
Key agreements were also signed at GISS 2026 to strengthen aviation capacity in the Americas. Guyana’s Civil Aviation Authority entered a MoU for the hosting of the ICAO/EASA Third Global RSSO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety. Panama’s Tocumen Airport signed a Project Document for ICAO support for its forecasted expansion. In Peru, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation established a commitment for investments in institutional capacity development. These agreements collectively enhance regional cooperation, technical support, and investments in civil aviation safety and institutional capability.
Asia
Asian States and organizations expanded their collaboration with ICAO at GISS 2026 in a wide variety of areas. Azerbaijan’s Silkway Group/Alat Airport Authority signed a Project Document for Green Airport Certification expertise, and the State Civil Aviation Agency formalized both a Training Services Agreement for ICAO training and an enhancement to its management service agreement. Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation entered an MOU for secondment to ICAO’s Asia-Pacific office for performance-based navigation, while AIRNAV signed a Project Document to establish a fatigue risk management framework.
Europe
In Europe, GISS 2026 saw a diverse set of new agreements supporting aviation training, safety, and professional development. France’s Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile concluded a Technical Arrangement to provide scholarships in partnership with the Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile. Greece’s Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority signed a Project Document launching a Civil Aviation Master Plan Workshop. In Spain, COPAC entered a MoU for the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Programme; ITAEREA Aeronautical Business School formalized a Training Project Document expanding master’s scholarships; SENASA launched a joint implementation package on safety reporting systems, and Indra established a Global Events Support Agreement.
Middle East
In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority signed a Training Annex at GISS 2026 for the provision of scholarships dedicated to women in aviation, furthering ICAO’s efforts toward capacity development and gender diversity in the region.
Sustaining Momentum
The Global Implementation Support Symposium continues to play a critical role in advancing ICAO’s mission to ensure that no country is left behind in aviation development. The partnerships and commitments established in Marrakech will guide the next phase of implementation across the global aviation system.
Angola was announced as the host of GISS 2027, ensuring continued momentum in strengthening global aviation cooperation and implementation support.