The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) participated in the proceedings of the 75th Session of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport and the 39th Ordinary Session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport, held from 2 to 4 November 2026 at the headquarters of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, Arab Republic of Egypt. The meetings brought together Their Excellencies the Ministers of Transport of Arab States, representatives of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, and a number of Arab organizations and unions concerned with the transport sector.
The meetings featured an address by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Malki, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector, who emphasized the importance of strengthening joint Arab action in the field of transport and further developing frameworks for cooperation and coordination among Arab States. He highlighted the role of such efforts in advancing economic integration, enhancing connectivity between different transport networks, and improving the efficiency of infrastructure and logistics services in response to regional and international developments and challenges.
H.E. Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport of the Arab Republic of Egypt, also delivered an address underscoring the importance of sustaining joint Arab efforts to develop transport systems across all modes, strengthening connectivity among Arab States, and promoting the integration of transport networks and logistics facilities. These efforts, he noted, are essential to facilitating trade and mobility and supporting the achievement of the region's economic and social development objectives.
The proceedings of the 39th Session also witnessed the handover of the Presidency of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport from the sisterly State of Kuwait to the Arab Republic of Egypt. The handover ceremony was conducted by H.E. Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, Minister of Public Works of the State of Kuwait, to H.E Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to continuing the process of joint Arab action and strengthening cooperation and coordination among Member States in pursuit of shared Arab interests.
With regard to civil aviation, the Council adopted a number of important positions reflecting the Arab States' commitment to strengthening their representation and presence in international forums. The most notable of these included:
Support for the Sultanate of Oman's Candidacy for Membership of the ICAO Council
The Council of Arab Ministers of Transport expressed its support for the Sultanate of Oman's candidacy for membership of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in light of the amendment to Article 50(a) of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which provides for an increase in the number of members of the ICAO Council from 36 to 40 States. This expansion is intended to broaden representation within the Council and enhance States' participation in international civil aviation decision-making.
This position reflects the importance of Arab coordination and the unification of efforts to support Arab candidacies within specialized international organizations, thereby strengthening Arab representation and enabling Arab States to contribute effectively to shaping international civil aviation policies and strategic directions.
Condemnation of Attacks Targeting Airports and Seaports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Council also condemned the attacks targeting a number of airports and seaports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following the attacks carried out by the Houthi militias. It expressed its solidarity with the Kingdom and rejected attacks against civilian facilities and critical infrastructure, which pose a threat to the security and safety of air and maritime transport facilities and to the stability of transport operations across the region.
These positions reaffirm the importance of Arab solidarity in addressing threats to critical infrastructure and facilities, safeguarding the security and safety of transport across all modes, and ensuring the continuity of transport operations in accordance with relevant international standards and conventions.
The Arab Civil Aviation Organization's participation in these meetings reaffirms its role in following up on issues and matters relating to civil aviation at the Arab level, contributing to the strengthening of coordination and cooperation among Member States, and promoting unified Arab positions in regional and international forums. These efforts are aimed at safeguarding the interests of Arab States, supporting the development of the civil aviation sector, and enhancing air connectivity and integration among Arab countries.
