The 59th Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Conference, held in Cebu, Philippines, from October 14 to 18, concluded with agreements, initiatives, and collaborative programs aimed at ensuring safer skies while promoting sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity in aviation across the Asia-Pacific region.
Over 400 delegates from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Asia and Pacific Member States and international organizations discussed significant topics such as Aviation Safety, Air Navigation, Aviation Security and Facilitation, Economic Development of Air Transport, and the relationship between Aviation and the Environment.
The five-day conference formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and Southeast Asian nations to enhance aviation safety by joining Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand in a Regional Aviation Safety Data and Information Sharing Initiative.
“The cross-border nature of aviation demands that we work together. Through this agreement, we will collectively identify emerging trends and hazards, allowing for the continuous development of proactive measures that advance safety goals across the Asia-Pacific. Together, we will ensure safer skies for all,” said CAAP Director-General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo.
The shared data will initially focus on seven key safety categories sourced from mandatory safety reporting systems, including severe turbulence and dangerous goods incidents. The Philippines will play an active role in collecting and analyzing this data to identify regional safety trends.
“With the impending expansion of the ICAO Council to 40 seats, it is critical that the Asia-Pacific region collectively advocates for at least one additional seat to reflect our strategic role in international aviation. This will ensure that our region’s interests—including its unique challenges and rapid growth—are adequately represented in ICAO’s decision-making process,” Tamayo added.
The Philippines first hosted the event in Manila in 1960 and again in 2002 and 2015. This year marked the country’s fourth time hosting; Cebu served as a dynamic setting for the 59th DGCA at Dusit Thani from October 14 to 18, 2024, under the theme “Shaping the Future of Aviation: Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive.”
“Today, we know better. Sustainability allows us to adapt to unforeseen disruptions while maintaining safety and efficiency at our core operations. Equally important is inclusivity; we must ensure that no man, no woman, and no country is left behind.”
