Sirika (Right) with Nigerian ICAO Council President, Dr Bernard Aliu
In less than three weeks, 20-22 November 2017 precisely, Nigeria will be the first country in the world to host the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF). Although, it is the third edition, but first by any country. ICAO has held the first two editions at its headquarters in Montreal, Canada in 2015 and 2016. This year’s edition is a special forum because the global aviation communities will be gathered in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja to discuss the forum’s theme: “Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure”.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika in his comment said the country is more than delighted to play host to this all-important forum as the first country in the world to do this. “This is a rare opportunity for Nigeria being the first time the forum is being held outside Montreal and we are more than delighted to host it”.
According to a publication from ICAO projecting the event, “The third ICAO World Aviation Forum will explore how development of aviation infrastructure plays a key role in the achievement of the visionary United Nation’s Agenda 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063 prosperity objectives, with a special focus on funding and financing of airport, air navigation, and other aviation infrastructure projects.”
“Stressing the importance of aligning policies and planning for air transport with the national development planning, this high-level event directly supports the ICAO No Country Left Behind initiative and will be of key interest to Ministers and other senior government officials responsible for civil aviation, transport, infrastructure, finance, and tourism, as well as key industry and financial partners.”
During the event, a day will be dedicated fully to Africa aviation development financing. “The second day of the Forum will focus specifically on financing challenges facing aviation infrastructure and capacity development in Africa,” said ICAO.
