During his official visit to Kazakhstan, the President of the ICAO Council Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO EUR/NAT Regional Director Nicolas Rallo, Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastayev, Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport Saltanat Tompiyeva, and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to ICAO Timur Tlegenov held a series of meetings with representatives of Kazakhstan’s aviation sector in Almaty.

The delegation first visited Almaty International Airport, where they were introduced to the new passenger terminal, toured the newly upgraded Airport Operations Control Center (AOCC), and visited the Aviation Museum dedicated to the history and development of the airport.

During the official meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation in the development of civil aviation, including infrastructure, sustainable development and the adoption of modern aviation safety practices. Mr. Sciacchitano commended Almaty International Airport’s ongoing efforts to align with international standards and best practices.

During a visit to the Civil Aviation Academy, Mr. Sciacchitano addressed the faculty and students, outlining ICAO’s perspective on addressing workforce shortages and promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the sector.

“Today, the aviation sector is facing significant workforce challenges driven by rapid technological change, a growing focus on sustainability, a shortage of qualified personnel, and the need for greater diversity and inclusivity. In response, ICAO launched the ‘Next Generation of Aviation Professionals’ programme, which aims to attract young people and early-career professionals at both national and regional levels. Remember, you will contribute to the social and economic development of the world, connecting people, cultures, and countries. I wish you great success,” said Mr. Sciacchitano in his message to the students.

In recognition of their contributions to international cooperation in aviation education, Mr. Salvatore Sciacchitano and Mr. Nicolas Rallo were awarded the honorary title of “Honorary Professor of the Academy of Civil Aviation.”

That same day, a meeting was held with Mr. Peter Foster, President of Air Astana. Air Astana is a leading airline in Central Asia, widely recognized for its high standards in safety, reliability, and service.

Mr. Foster highlighted several key strengths that make the airline attractive to partners, including its position in Central Asia, projected regional economic growth, strategic access to major markets in China, India, the Gulf, Europe, and Southeast Asia, a modern fleet, financial resilience, operational efficiency, and a strong safety record.

The discussions also addressed key issues related to the development of civil aviation, expansion of the route network, implementation of sustainable technologies, and strengthening Kazakhstan’s role as a regional aviation hub. Special attention was given to aviation personnel training and ongoing collaboration with international organizations. Kazakhstan remains committed to modernization and integration into the global aviation system through the consistent adoption of ICAO standards and recommended practices.

The parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to the goals of ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety and Sustainability Strategy.

“As President of the ICAO Council, I would like to commend Kazakhstan—a forward-looking country—for its dynamic development in the civil aviation sector, its effective policy formulation, implementation of standards, and firm commitment to our shared goals. Gender equality in industry is also vital. By 2030, we must increase the representation of women in aviation. One of Kazakhstan’s achievements is the growing number of women in the aviation sector—this is a strong indicator,” Mr. Sciacchitano noted during his visit.