The General Assembly session was attended by the heads and representatives of civil aviation authorities from ACAO member states.
Egypt's delegation was led by Civil Aviation Minister Captain Sameh El-Hefny and included Captain Sameh Fouzy, chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority; Reem Oraby, alternate representative of Egypt to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and Captain Karim Gamil, adviser to the chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority and director general of international agreements.
The appointment reflects Egypt’s continued efforts to strengthen its presence within regional and international organizations and reinforce its position as a key partner in shaping policies that support the development of the civil aviation sector at both the Arab and international levels.
Ahead of the General Assembly, the 74th session of the ACAO Executive Council discussed several strategic priorities, including strengthening aviation safety and security, developing air navigation services, updating legislative and regulatory frameworks, supporting digital transformation and environmental sustainability, and developing human resources.
The meeting also focused on coordinating Arab positions on issues discussed at international forums in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Arab countries also agreed on a unified position supporting an increase in the number of seats on the ICAO Council and coordinated with European, African, and Latin American regional organizations during a special working session to exchange regional support ahead of the ICAO Extraordinary Assembly.
Elections for the Executive Council and the organization's technical committees resulted in Egypt retaining its seat on the Executive Council and winning seats on several technical committees. This reflected member states' confidence in Egypt's expertise and its role in supporting the organization's work, strengthening Arab cooperation, and advancing the region's air transport sector.
The General Assembly also appointed Khalid El-Sharkawy as director general of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, succeeding Abdel Nabi Manar.
Civil Aviation Minister Captain Sameh El-Hefny said Egypt's election to the presidency of the 29th General Assembly and the renewal of its Executive Council membership reflect the confidence it enjoys among Arab member states.
He said the outcome also reflects Egypt's institutional experience and strategic vision, which have strengthened its ability to contribute to the future development of civil aviation in the Arab region and support regional cooperation and coordination in the sector.
El-Hefny added that Egypt would continue to contribute to implementing the organization's programmes and initiatives, promoting the exchange of expertise and best practices among member states, enhancing aviation safety and operational efficiency, advancing digital transformation, supporting environmental sustainability, and developing human resources in line with developments in the global aviation industry.
The minister also praised Saudi Arabia's distinguished efforts during its previous chairmanship of the Executive Council, saying they helped enhance the organization's performance and strengthen cooperation and coordination among Arab states, supporting joint Arab action in the field of civil aviation.
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