The Role of ICAO

There are numerous other instances of such regional cooperation which followed such as the signing of a memorandum of understanding by ICAO and LACAC on 1 October 1999 followed by an MoU between ICAO and ECAC on 11 November 1999. These were to be followed by a management service agreement between ICAO and AFCAC which came into effect on 1 January 2007. 

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Abeyratne R (2009) The role of ICAO in the twenty first century. Ann Air Space Law XXXIV 529-544... 

Abeyratne R (2009b) The role of ICAO in implementing the safety roadmap. Eur Transport Law... 

Petersen, M., 2008, The legality of the EU s stand-alone approach to the climate impact of aviation the express role given to the ICAO by the Kyoto protocol. Review of European Community and International Environmental Law 17(2), 196-204. 

Although both pilots and a small number of non-pilots may act as LOSA observers (ICAO, 2002), the decision was made to include only peer train drivers in the team of CORS observers. The rationale behind this decision was to promote trust in the program, to maintain role clarity of senior train crew, and to differentiate CORS observations from other compliance-based monitoring or assessment. Observers were selected via expressions of interest, and undertook an interview and written work sample activity, designed to assess their appreciation of confidentiality requirements, ethical behaviour, observation skills, written communication skills, accuracy of coding information, and willingness to follow rules and procedures. Observer selection results were endorsed by train crew union representatives via the CORS Steering Committee. 

ICAO has a grave responsibility and important role to play in implementing the plans contained in the Roadmap and making sure that the Roadmap proves to be an implementing tool. This responsibility can be attenuated from the fundamental aim of ICAO, enshrined in Article 44 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation" to develop the principles and techniques of international air navigation. The Air Navigation Commission of ICAO will keep the Roadmap in review with a view... 

This raises the fundamental issue as to whether ICAOs role in assisting States in a crisis situation concerning the presence of volcanic ash in the airways used by aircraft is a prescriptive one. In other words, does ICAO have a leadership role to bail out States, or for those matter airlines from a natural disaster Does ICAO have a mandate to prescribe rules of conduct for States The answer has to be a resounding no for the following reasons. 

This article examines the legal and regulatory basis of ICAO s role with regard to the establishment and functions of RSOOs with reference to selected regional... 

In retrospect, it must be noted that this statement is a true reflection of what civU aviation stood for at that time, and, more importantly, that the statement has weathered the passage of time and is true even in the present context. A more recent commentator correctly observes that over the past decades, civil aviation has had to serve the political and economic interests of States and that, in this regard, ICAO has alternated between two positions, in its unobtrusive diplomatic role and its more pronounced regulatory role. ... 

ICAO now has to tread a thin line of its own diplomacy, in following the principles of sovereignty and equality of States as laid down in the Chicago Convention and balance its leadership role on establishing defining modalities (with the involvement of its member States) for the implementation of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This will be a tough act, but certainly not something that ICAO cannot handle, in the manner in which it has skillfully addressed issues of aviation and the environment in the past. 

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