India has been re-elected to Part II of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the 2025–2028 term, with a stronger mandate than the previous election in 2022.

About International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

• ICAO is a specialized UN agency established in 1944 by the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada.
• Membership: 193 countries, including India as a founding member.
• Mandate: To set international civil aviation standards, ensure safety, security, efficiency, environmental sustainability, and foster cooperation among member states.

Governance Structure

• ICAO Assembly
  • Supreme decision-making body, comprising representatives of all 193 member states.
  • Convenes once every three years.
  • Functions: Approves policy, reviews work of the Council, adopts budgets, and decides on amendments to the Chicago Convention.
• ICAO Council
  • Governing body of ICAO, elected by the Assembly for a three-year term.
  • Composed of 36 member states, divided into three parts:
    • Part I: States of chief importance in air transport.
    • Part II: States making the largest contribution to the provision of air navigation facilities.
    • Part III: States ensuring geographic representation.
  • Functions: Formulates SARPs (Standards and Recommended Practices), coordinates international aviation policies, and oversees technical and economic matters.
• Other Key Bodies
  • Air Navigation Commission (ANC): Advises the Council on technical issues and develops SARPs.
  • Committees of the Council: Deal with finance, transport, technical cooperation, and environment.
  • Secretariat: Headed by the Secretary-General, responsible for implementing ICAO’s work programme.

India’s Re-Election

• India has been a founding member of ICAO since 1944 and has maintained uninterrupted presence on the Council for 81 years.
• India secured a stronger mandate in 2025 compared to 2022, reflecting global confidence in its leadership.
• India continues to contribute to policy development, regulatory frameworks, and international aviation standards.

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