The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has grown to 193 member states after Caribbean state Dominica agreed to adhere to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Dominica’s membership became effective April 13 after it deposited its notification that it would adhere to the Chicago Convention a month earlier.
The move is expected to benefit the tourism industry in the West Indies island country and allow it to tap into global growth in air services and tourism.
ICAO said it was a first step to making aviation in the island compliant with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) and allow it to access the organization's resources.
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“Dominica will now be able to access the global guidance and support ICAO delivers through our No Country Left Behind initiative,’’ ICAO secretary general Fang Liu said.
“It enables our member States to develop aviation policies, strategies, and capacity that are optimized in terms of unlocking the sustainable development benefits of international air connectivity.
“We look forward to welcoming Dominica to events such as the upcoming ICAO World Aviation Forum, which provides States with unique opportunities to connect with the world’s key aviation and finance stakeholders and expand their aviation sector through strategic partnerships.
“A strong foundation for these partnerships will be provided by the ICAO strategic guidance, linked to our safety and security auditing, that Dominica will now be receiving.”
The new entrant will be supported by ICAO’s North American, Central American and Caribbean Regional Office.
The UN-backed organization was formed in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of global aviation.
It sets standards and regulations that include aviation safety, security, efficiency, capacity and environmental protection.
It also audits member states to check their adherence to its standards and safety practices.
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