The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has said it will continue to work with the Republic of Chad to enhance its air transport system.

During a recent meeting with ICAO’s Council President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, and ICAO Secretary General, Mr. Raymond Benjamin, the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation and National Meteorology in Chad, Ms. Haoua Acyl Ahmat Aghabac voiced her wish to resolve the air connectivity issues in Chad.

“Our country faces many challenges with regards to aviation safety and security. We are grateful for the capacity-building efforts being made by ICAO under the No Country Left Behind initiative and are fully committed to working with ICAO to establish effective safety and security oversight systems,” said Ms. Haoua Acyl Ahmat Aghabach.

Chad appealed for additional support from ICAO in the areas of documents security, training development and security oversight, given the continued threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

“ICAO will be doing everything in its power to ensure that Chad will not be left behind where the benefits of safe, secure and reliable air transport are concerned,” stressed ICAO Council President Aliu. “This is a basic priority for ICAO today under our No Country Left Behind programme, given the important socio-economic development links between access to international air transport and local prosperity.”

The UN aviation body will also continue to provide further support to Chad, through its Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal. As an important next step in the process, Chad will be receiving an emergency expert team from ICAO to assess the aviation security situation.