Under the patronage of His Excellency Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, Minister of Finance, and with the participation of more than 600 officials and specialists from various member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization, international organizations and bodies, Their Excellencies Ministers of Transport and Their Excellencies presidents of Civil Aviation Authorities, the eighth edition of the "ICAO Security Week 2024 and the High-Level Ministerial Meeting", hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), kicked off today). The event will run for four days from 9 to 12 December 2024 at Oman Convention and Exhibition Center.

The event, which is being held for the first time outside the headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization  in Montreal, aims to address critical issues affecting global aviation security, recommend initiatives aimed at addressing challenges to international aviation security, and reiterate the importance of a joint approach among Member States to comprehensively support joint efforts related to counter-terrorism issues, including the protection of critical civil aviation infrastructure, enhancing global aviation security and facilities and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew personnel .

In addition, the event will discuss strengthening cooperation, coordination and communication at international level to ensure the security of international civil aviation, coordinating the response to emerging threats, solutions and means of cooperation to deal with these challenges, and discussing and exchanging best practices in the field of aviation security and facilities.

In the opening speech of the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Eng. Naif bin Ali Al Abri, President of the Civil Aviation Authority, stressed the importance of this international event. His Excellency expressed the pride of the Sultanate of Oman being the first country to host this edition outside the organization's headquarters in Montreal. In his speech, he also praised the global appreciation given to the Sultanate of Oman for the efforts exerted by the Sultanate of Oman in enhancing the security of global civil aviation.

"This event embodies our firm commitment to developing the aviation industry and enhancing aviation security and safety standards in various fields. The event is a key platform for aviation and security experts and decision-makers from around the world to share ideas and experiences and discuss the latest developments and innovations in this vital sector."

“Aviation industry is the link of the world, a key enabler of economic progress and human development, a promoter of trade and tourism, and a catalyst for political and cultural ties and relations between peoples and nations; His Excellency noted. "A high-level ministerial dialogue session was included to reaffirm and support our commitment to strengthening aviation and cybersecurity which will serve as a platform for strategic discussions and defining the civil aviation roadmap through the High-Level Ministerial Declaration on Aviation Security and Aviation Cybersecurity, and the Protection of Aviation Critical Infrastructure", H.E further stated.

On the efforts made by the Sultanate of Oman in strengthening the aviation security system, His Excellency stressed that the Sultanate of Oman is among the leading countries in this field at the regional and international levels, and has made tangible steps in regulating the aviation sector to ensure the safety and security of passengers, and enhance the stability and security of international airspace. Oman has made great strides in the field of aviation, through the development of advanced infrastructure and airports, the qualification of local competencies and the issuance of regulations in line with the best international standards. The Sultanate of Oman has become the focus of the world's attention for its commitment to sustainable development and regional and international cooperation to ensure a safe and efficient environment for civil aviation.

At the end of his speech, His Excellency the President of the Civil Aviation Authority invited the participants to explore Oman's heritage and culture through visits organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. He also expressed his hope that this week's discussions will contribute to achieving common goals in enhancing the security and safety of civil aviation and upgrading the aviation sector globally.

During the opening speech of ICAO Security Week 2024, the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), H.E. Salvatore Shakikitano, stressed the leading role played by the Sultanate of Oman in enhancing aviation security at the regional and international levels. He praised the efforts of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority in hosting the event and the distinguished hospitality.

His Excellency noted the importance of this year's event, which is being held for the first time outside ICAO headquarters and includes for the first time also, a ministerial segment reflecting the international commitment to enhancing aviation security. He added that the ministerial segment of the event will result in an important announcement outlining the roadmap for the upcoming preparations for the ICAO Assembly in 2025.

The ICAO Council President also unveiled the second edition of the Global Aviation Security Plan, which will serve as a strategic roadmap to guide Member States in addressing current and future challenges. 

H.E. Salvatore Shakikitano stressed that the aviation sector is facing increasing challenges, most notably cyber threats and the complexity of air networks, which require innovative solutions and continuous international cooperation. "Our success depends on how well we are able to anticipate emerging threats, while ensuring that passenger and cargo movement is efficiently facilitated." 

His Excellency the ICAO Council President noted the outstanding achievements of the Middle East in the field of aviation security, where countries in the region recorded an effective implementation rate of 75.92% of ICAO's standards for the Global Aviation Security Audit Program (USAP) audits. He also noted that this region leads the world in the number of ICAO-accredited trainers, which reflects the strength of capacity building and regional cooperation, indicating that the region is free of any major security concerns thanks to joint regional efforts.

Shakikitano concluded his speech by stressing the importance of Security Week in promoting international cooperation and exchanging experiences to shape a safer future for the global aviation sector, expressing confidence that the event will yield recommendations that contribute to enhancing security for future generations.

Discussion Sessions

ICAO Security Week 2024 includes a series of panel discussions and workshops aimed at exchanging views and insights on the dynamic yet complex nature of balancing security and sustainability goals in the aviation sector by benefiting from the experiences of industry experts and leaders, allowing conference participants to explore the scientific approach, discuss challenges and identify opportunities to establish a safer future for the global air travel industry. The Aviation Sector faces several developments related to the protection of critical infrastructure, unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft systems, aviation cybersecurity and other topics.

In addition to the opening session, the first day of ICAO Security Week 2024 witnessed three pivotal panel discussions on key issues and challenges related to civil aviation security.

The first panel discussion, "Flying Tomorrow: Enhancing Aviation Security for a Sustainable Future", began with a discussion of the importance of security in achieving the sustainability of the aviation industry, by showcasing innovative methods that contribute to enhancing the resilience of civil aviation infrastructure to current and future threats.

The second panel discussion, titled 'Security is Everyone's Responsibility', focused on inspiring collaborative and actionable strategies aimed at achieving shared security and sustainability goals across the aerospace industry, with a focus on addressing vulnerabilities resulting from industry-wide chain interactions.

The third panel discussion was titled "Aviation Security: From Legacy to Innovation, how 80 years of ICAO and 50 years of Annex 17 help us look into the future", highlighting the 80th anniversary of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the 50th anniversary of Annex 17 on Aviation Security. The session addressed the historical achievements that contributed to enhancing aviation security.

On the second day of ICAO Security Week 2024, a series of simultaneous panel discussions will be held in four different halls, addressing diverse and important topics in the field of aviation security.

The first panel discussion on the Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP) will begin at Muscat Hall, which will discuss addressing challenges, analysing opportunities for developing the plan, and highlighting the actions needed to ensure and achieve progress towards the ambitious global goal of full and effective implementation of aviation security standards and associated milestones. Followed by the second panel discussion titled "Addressing new

threats to Aviation: Is there a path for a safer future?" which discusses proactive response to the challenges posed by the increase in cyber attacks and misuse of drone systems.

The third panel discussion, titled "Leveraging Experience: States readiness in Security Audit Preparation", aims to explore the experience of different countries in preparing for aviation security audits, as well as the perspectives of security auditers, and will review practices that can facilitate the process and maximize the benefits of auditing.

Salalah Hall begins with the panel discussion "Civil military coordination: Collaboration and Innovation for Secure Operations", which discusses the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between civil aviation stakeholders, and the joint efforts between civil and military authorities that are essential to maintain safe aviation operations in the face of increasing challenges and risks. Followed by a session titled "Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation of ATM Systems", where emerging security threats such as GPS manipulation and how a response system to unconventional attacks can be created based on technological advances  will be discussed.

The third session, titled 'From Reactive to Proactive: The Evolution of the Aviation Security Regulatory Landscape', will focus on the importance of achieving international harmonization and ensuring a safe aviation environment. The regulatory landscape encompasses a complex web of laws, regulations and policies, and with the multiplicity of evolving threats, the need to pay due attention to the regulatory framework increases, and solutions to regulate the unknown become necessary. This will be followed by another session entitled "Protecting Critical Aviation Infrastructure: Measures and Technology for Counter Unmanned Vehicles (UAS)" which will address the misuse of these technologies, associated challenges and possible solutions to address risks and protect civil aviation infrastructure.

Nizwa Hall will feature a panel discussion titled "UN Counter Terrorism Landscape: Enhancing the Interagency Coordination and Coherence to

Safeguard the Skies", the first part of which aims to raise awareness and strengthen the commitment of the aviation security community to the implementation of the United Nations counter-terrorism efforts, with a focus on the fifth anniversary of the Travel Counter-Terrorism Programme (CTTP).), the second part of which discusses international cooperation to secure the airspace against the smuggling of drugs and their substances.

At the Muttrah Ballroom, the first session, titled 'Beyond the Breakthrough: Building Robust Security and Emergency Response Frameworks for Airports,” will begin with the aim of educating aviation security professionals by providing insights and guidance on how to manage security challenges when emergencies and crises occur at the airport. The second session will examine 'Technical Innovations and Human Factors,' which will discuss the potential benefits and challenges of technological developments affecting aviation security and the impact of automation on the roles of security personnel in the future. The next session will address the topic of 'Navigating Cybersecurity Chaos: Securing the Flights' which will highlight the impact of AI technologies on operational efficiency, data protection, and the regulatory framework for the aviation industry.

High-level Ministerial Segment

Coinciding with the Sultanate of Oman's hosting of ICAO Security Week 2024, the high-level ministerial segment hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority will be held on the third day, which is a major focus of the event, in which a number of ministers and government officials, presidents of civil aviation authorities, international and regional organizations, airlines, airports and specialized companies will participate. The meeting aims to endorse the "Muscat Ministerial Declaration", which focuses on key aviation security issues, such as cybersecurity and the protection of critical aviation infrastructure. The announcement is an important step in setting aviation security priorities globally, in preparation for the forty-second session of the ICAO General Assembly in September next year.

Youth Session

Emphasizing the role of youth and their effective contribution to enhancing aviation security, a youth session will be held under the theme "Youth Empowerment: Achieving Gender Balance in Aviation Security". The session sheds light on the role of youth in enhancing aviation security, and the importance of gender equality in the civil aviation security sector. The session will also discuss a number of important topics, including enhancing youth participation, highlighting the challenges facing women in the sector and highlighting inspiring success stories. It will also discuss the importance of achieving gender balance in the context of the challenges and opportunities presented by this field. The session will also address the cultural and societal impact on gender equality, and provide practical recommendations to enhance the role of women and youth in international cooperation in aviation security.

The session will be attended by a group of officials and experts, including Their Excellencies Ministers of Transport, Their Excellencies Presidents of Civil Aviation Authorities, CEOs of international institutions associated with the global civil aviation sector, aviation security officials from member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and representatives of specialized international companies. The session will also be attended by youth working or interested in the aviation sector, as well as students and graduates from local colleges and universities in the Sultanate of Oman.

International Events

Coinciding with the Sultanate of Oman's hosting of the Civil Aviation Organization Security Week 2024 and the High-Level Ministerial Segment, the Civil Aviation Authority will organize today a ceremony on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day, the  80th  anniversary of the founding of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the  50th  anniversary of the adoption of Annex 17, under the patronage of His Excellency Eng. Naif bin Ali Al-Abri. The President of the Civil Aviation Authority, in the presence of the President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, and a number of government officials, including ministers, presidents of civil aviation authorities, international and regional organizations, airlines, airports, and companies specialized in security.

Accompanying exhibition and cultural day

A specialized exhibition is organized as part of the ICAO Aviation Security Week, highlighting new technologies and innovative security solutions, with the participation of local and international institutions. ICAO Security Week 2024  will conclude with tours for participants, allowing them to explore Oman's most prominent historical and cultural attractions, including a visit to Nizwa Fort and Souq and the Oman Museum Through Ages in Al Dakhiliya Governorate, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Al Alam Palace and Muttrah Souk in Muscat Governorate. These international events reinforce Oman's image as an integrated destination that blends technological progress and rich history.

It is worth mentioning that the Sultanate of Oman's hosting of this global event comes as an affirmation of the role it plays in enhancing the global civil aviation security and facilities system in light of the increasing growth of air traffic in different parts of the world, amid the gradual recovery of the sector following the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as effective cooperation and coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization and different countries of the world to keep pace with developments and developments in the area of international civil aviation and exchange experiences and best practices.

This is in addition to the keenness of the Sultanate of Oman to continue cooperation with the rest of the member states of the International Civil Aviation Organization in order to help overcome all future challenges in the international civil aviation sector and agree on unified approach and practices among countries to enhance the security and facilities of international civil aviation.