ALGIERS- As evidence of the commitment of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization to enhance the capabilities of civil aviation officers in Member States, and with reference to its joint program of activities in the field of air navigation for 2019 with the International Civil Aviation Organization - Paris Office, and approved by the Executive Council at its 61st session that was held in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 29 and 30 April 2019, a joint workshop on "Obstacle and Terrain Data Set" was organized. The Algerian General Directorate of Air Navigation under the supervision of the General Directorate of Algerian Civil Aviation generously hosted the workshop in Algiers, Democratic Republic of Algeria from 29 to October 31, 2019.

Mr Bouraoui Chakib, Sub-Director of Air Safety and Navigation at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, HE Safir Youssef, Director General of the Algerian National Aeronautics Corporation, and Eng. Mohamed Rejeb, Aviation and Safety Expert on behalf of HE Eng. Abdul Nabi Manar, Director General The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) and Mr. Abbas Neggad, Air Navigation Concentration Expert at the ICAO Paris Office inaugurated the workshop. Whereas they welcomed participants and emphasized on the objectives of the workshop, namely to discuss the implementation of ICAO requirements on  "Terrain Obstacle Datasets Data Set", in particular in terms of drafting relevant regulatory acts and national policy.

As emphasized, terrain data and electronic obstacles (eTOD) represent collections of digital data in order to meet the needs of users for a range of automated applications used in the atmosphere and on the ground. The implementation and entry into force of ICAO standards and recommendations comprised in Annex 15 "Aviation Information Services" (AIS), with respect to the provision of such data, pose significant challenges, including technical, institutional and operational issues that each State must provide and disseminate in its Aeronautical Information Manual.

With the development of technology and the operating environment, countries are encouraged to provide this data in electronic form instead of the traditional paper one that was required in the past. This procedure is part of the transition from AIS to AIM.

Eighty-three participants attended the workshop representing Arab and European countries, as well as several regional and international organizations and relevant manufacturers.