The ECHO Working Group on Aviation Security held its regular meeting at the ICAO Regional Office in Paris.

The meeting focused on identifying and creating an inventory of regional aviation security needs and challenges, effective execution of the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASP), operational cooperation among countries when threats and dangers arise, and new ICAO documents.

Darhan Katyshev, deputy head of the working group and director of the aviation security department of the JSC "Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan," stated in his speech that mutual visits to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and the Republic of Georgia were planned for 2021-2022 to improve regional cooperation and exchange experiences on aviation security issues. Agreements on regional cooperation and coordination were signed with these nations in accordance with ICAO Guideline No 8973/12.

The meeting produced a list of current needs and problems in civil aviation security against acts of unlawful interference, as well as solutions. It led to the development of mechanisms to achieve sustainable capacity building on aviation security issues for all countries in the region.

The Republic of Kazakhstan will host the ECHO working group's subsequent round in 2024.

The working group was established in 2019 to enhance regional aviation security and foster closer ties among ICAO Europe and North Atlantic Area (EUR/NAT) Bureau member states.