Muscat (Oman) hosted ICAO Aviation Security Week, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Annex 17 “Aviation Security” and the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The event, organized in partnership with ICAO and the national authorities of the Sultanate of Oman, brought together representatives from aviation authorities of 78 countries, as well as more than 800 industry experts and professionals from around the world.

The Kazakh delegation, led by Deputy Director General of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, Darkhan Yespotanov, included aviation security and cybersecurity experts from the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, Kazaeronavigation RSE, and Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport.

The primary objective of the event was to address modern challenges in aviation security, discuss the implementation of the latest ICAO standards, and enhance cooperation among ICAO member states.

As part of the forum, conferences and seminars explored innovative approaches to risk management and the adoption of new technologies in aviation security. Practical training sessions focused on enhancing the qualifications of aviation professionals and implementing international standards, while roundtables encouraged cooperation between countries in addressing emerging threats to civil aviation.

Special attention was given to cybersecurity, the management of unmanned aerial vehicles, and measures to prevent unlawful interference in civil aviation activities.

Participants emphasized that the discussions during the event represent a significant step forward in advancing global aviation security. Continued collaboration helps all stakeholders remain at the forefront of international standards and technologies.

The culmination of ICAO Aviation Security Week was the high-level signing of the Muscat Declaration on Aviation Security and Aviation Cybersecurity. This strategic document is aimed at strengthening international cooperation and implementing best practices in aviation security.

The Declaration, grounded in expert discussions and recommendations, received broad support from ICAO member states, the aviation industry, and international organizations. Its key provisions include:

     1.  Strengthening Global Cooperation: Participants reaffirmed the need for active information sharing, technological exchange, and adoption of best practices to combat contemporary threats in civil aviation.

     2.  Implementing ICAO Standards: Participating countries committed to accelerating the adoption of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) to ensure global harmonization of security requirements.

     3.  Addressing Emerging Threats: The Declaration calls for the development and implementation of coordinated measures to counter risks associated with cyber threats, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other modern challenges.

     4.  Enhancing Professional Development: Measures were adopted to expand training and certification programs for aviation security personnel and to promote international knowledge exchange.

     5.  Promoting Environmental Sustainability: The Declaration emphasized integrating security measures with initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of civil aviation.

Recognized as a milestone for advancing global aviation security, the Declaration’s provisions will be reviewed at the next ICAO Assembly meeting.

On the sidelines of the forum, working meetings were held with ICAO’s Aviation Security and Facilitation Department, as well as representatives of aviation security sectors from Gulf countries, to address pressing issues related to aviation security and cybersecurity in the face of new regional threats.

In alignment with the ICAO-adopted document, Kazakh experts are integrating the main provisions of the Declaration into national legislation. This will enhance measures to counter modern threats and enable the adoption of advanced security technologies. These efforts are expected to strengthen Kazakhstan’s reputation and improve the effectiveness of its national aviation security system in the long term.