Today's Edition
ATHENS (WAM)
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), highlighted the UAE’s commitment to actively participating in the international dialogue on the future of the civil aviation sector.
Al Suwaidi stressed that the UAE is a key supporter of the international efforts to promote the transition to a green aviation system, in line with global sustainable development goals and the country’s national visions and goals for the next fifty years.
He made this statement while participating in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Seminar on Green Airports held in the Greek capital, Athens, on 18th and 19th April. The objective of the Seminar was to increase awareness of all interested parties on the emerging topics associated with airports, with a specific focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies, including sustainable infrastructure, to enable the energy transition at airports.
The conference focussed on the critical challenges faced by airports worldwide in terms of anticipating and adjusting to climate change. These challenges include predicting the effects of climate change on airport operations, formulating suitable strategies, generating investments, and enhancing infrastructure to accommodate forthcoming shifts in aviation fuel, which will encompass not only low-carbon and sustainable fuels but also other clean alternatives, such as hydrogen.
The UAE led a keynote session during the conference, titled, “Era of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF) and other Aviation Cleaner Energies,” which was moderated by Eng. Mariam Al Balooshi, Vice President of the Environmental Protection Committee of the ICAO Council, Chair of the Environmental Committee of the Arab Civil Aviation Commission, and Chief Negotiator for the Climate Change File for the Aviation Sector in the UAE.
The session explored strategies for airports to facilitate fuel production and address the major challenges confronting the aviation sector in climate and environmental dialogue. It also assessed international mandates aimed at reducing international emissions.
Industry partners from diverse sectors, including airlines, producers, airports, and ICAO members, actively participated in discussing relevant challenges.
