The Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure Honourable Ebrima Sillah has returned from an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) high-level ministerial conference held in Doha, Qatar recently.
Over 120 ministers and heads of civil aviation authorities from around the world, alongside senior officials, aviation experts, and representatives from regional and international organizations attended the conference.
Top on the agenda was the issuance of the Doha Declaration on Facilitating International Air Transport, a key outcome underscoring the urgency of developing integrated national policies to ensure the seamless movement of passengers and cargo, especially amid mounting global challenges. The declaration reaffirmed the importance of adherence to Annex 9 of the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, aimed at fostering multilateral cooperation between states and international bodies.
Accordingly, the declaration emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among all relevant authorities, sustainable funding mechanisms for ICAO programs, and inclusive policy development—particularly ensuring the participation of persons with disabilities. These measures aim to enhance equity, sustainability, and resilience in the global aviation sector.
As part of activities that marked The Gambia’s Transport Minister’s visit to Doha, Minister Ebrima Sillah also had a sideline meeting with his new Qatari counterpart to build on existing relationships in air and public transport services.