In his inaugural address, Sheikh Saud said, 'The tremendous progress achieved by the UAE and the region in the civil aviation sector calls for sustained and collective focus on effective implementation of aviation safety initiatives'.

Sheikh Saud lauded the United Nations World Food Programme and the GCAA for organising the seminar and said that Ras Al Khaimah was glad to host the event which would provide a platform for all stakeholders in the aviation sector to discuss issues and share expertise on enhancing aviation safety.

Aviation experts and civil aviation authorities from across GCC and countries like South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan and delegations from Italy and Canada are participating in the programme which will discuss global aviation safety and security issues and explore the future of humanitarian air operations.

Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman, Department of RAK Civil Aviation, said that UAE, and particularly the GCAA, have always been at the forefront in providing support and trust to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in their efforts to enhance aviation safety and security.

He added that the establishment of two centers- the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS) in the UAE and the Global Aviation Security Training Network, which serves as a regional institution for aviation security awareness, training and research, are crowning achievements which are testimony to the successful partnership between ICAO and the GCAA.

Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE GCAA said, 'Aviation safety cannot be fully achieved just by having newly bought aircrafts and new runways. Safety in aviation is essentially a state of mind that must penetrate everyone and every section in the industry'. Suwaidi added that the country is committed to the full implementation of safety management systems across all service providers and in the GCAA.

Amer Daoudi, director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Logistics Division, said, 'Increased attention to better aviation safety measures is a priority for the WFP which is operating in 82 countries and works in the most challenging conditions around the world as UN's frontline agency in the fight against global hunger.

More than 100 aircraft, operated by registered carriers on behalf of WFP Aviation, transport in excess of 300,000 passengers and 200,000 tonnes of cargo every year for both WFP and other humanitarian organisations, flying over 80,000 hours.

'The growing emphasis and support shown by both government and commercial aviation leaders highlight their commitment in offering the highest safety standards across the humanitarian aviation community,' concluded Daoudi.