The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Symposium, organized jointly with the International Airports Council (ACI) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Accessibility of International Civil Aviation, was held for the first time at the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO in Montreal, Canada from December 2 to 3, 2024. The symposium was attended by 237 participants from 37 States, 5 international organizations and many advocacy groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and advisory bodies.

The Kazakh delegation was represented by employees of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to ICAO, Timur Tlegenov. The symposium was opened by Honored Anita Anand, Minister of Transport of Canada, and Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the ICAO Council.

It is worth noting that this symposium was held as part of the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1992. The joint ICAO/ACI/IATA Symposium focused on the challenges and efforts of States, industry and other stakeholders and on strengthening international cooperation to make effective accessibility decisions.

The relevance of this symposium is since today the number of elderly people and people with disabilities makes up a significant and growing percentage of the world’s population (1.3 billion people) and is increasing through population growth, medical advances and the ageing process.  Aviation, like all other transport modes, needs to reach a disability-inclusive air transport system.

During the seven panel sessions, the following topics were discussed:

·        International framework and policies for accessibility inclusion;

·        Air Travel Barriers: architectural, technological, informational,

·        and human interactions;

·        Voices of experience: Stories from passengers with disabilities;

·        Importance of global collaboration, mutual standards and

·        practices;

·        Designing for All: Improving infrastructures;

·        Role of technology in enhancing accessibility;

·        Mobility in air transport.

          World-class experts from countries such as Canada, USA, Japan, New Zealand, Italy and international organizations/companies such as: IATA, ACI World, FAA, ENAC, iPADIS, USDOT, IAG, AIR CANADA, BOEING, AIRBUS, etc., as well as ICAO experts within the framework of the discussion of the topic “Inclusive and universally accessible Air Transport for Persons with Disabilities and Reduced Mobility” the Symposium considered the following issues as facilitation of the transport by air of persons with disabilities and reduced mobilities and improve their air travel experience, aligning with ICAO Assembly Resolution A41-15: Accessibility in International Civil Aviation.

          This symposium served as a platform for a dialogue on high-level principles, focusing on the development of an ICAO strategy on accessibility in international civil aviation, as well as on the importance of regional and international cooperation to facilitate the implementation of facilitation measures. Most speakers noted that the focus should be on the role of global cooperation between all stakeholders (aviation authorities, societies and associations for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, aircraft operators, airports, ticket agencies, travel agencies) and the importance of providing consistent, coordinated and interconnected services throughout the passenger's journey.

          The event was closed by the Secretary General of ICAO, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar.

It is worth noting that the aviation authorities of Kazakhstan pay special attention to the issues of Facilitating air transportation for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. Earlier, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, within the framework of cooperation in the field of passenger services with reduced mobility and improvement of the national regulatory framework, was evaluated by

International Partners for Aviation Development, Innovation and Sustainability (iPADIS) as part of their leading program for assessing the accessibility and promotion of air travel and tourism (ACCEPT), based on the iPADIS model policy and Accessibility Guidelines (MPGA). In addition, this year, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan held a meeting with representatives of domestic airlines and airports on the accessibility of air transport to passengers with disabilities.