The 15th edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation event, ICAN 2023, kicked off in Riyadh with a grand opening ceremony and gala dinner attended by over 700 global aviation leaders from 100 countries and organizations, marking a record attendance for the event. Hosted by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the five-day gathering serves as the world's largest platform for countries to negotiate aviation transport arrangements.
Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, officially opened the event, emphasizing the Kingdom's commitment to shaping the future of global aviation through the National Transport and Logistics Strategy in support of Vision 2030.
GACA's President, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, highlighted Saudi Arabia's dedication to the sustainable growth of the global civil aviation system, driven by the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a Middle East aviation leader with a projected $100 billion investment and a goal to accommodate 330 million passengers by 2030.
President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano, noted the significant impact of ICAN, which has facilitated over 5,000 bilateral meetings resulting in close to 4,000 agreements and arrangements for 160 States and all world regions since its launch in 2008. The event provides a crucial platform for the international air transport industry's growth and sustainability, as well as benefiting sectors like tourism and trade.
ICAN 2023 not only offers a space for air services negotiations but also provides networking opportunities for policymakers, regulators, air operators, service providers, and other stakeholders. The opening ceremony included the announcement that Malaysia will host ICAN 2024, celebrated through an official handover. The event will culminate on December 7, 2023, with a celebration of International Civil Aviation Day.
