The performance of the aviation sector in the Pacific region is limited by the financial and human resource constraints of island states, particularly the shortage of a sufficient, qualified and competent technical aviation workforce.
These were the comments of International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO) regional director Tao Ma while officially opening the two-day Third Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM3) at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva yesterday.
Mr Ma said Pacific states had clearly demonstrated their desire and commitment to build their capacity and capability, and to uplift compliance levels.
However, he said it had those difficult circumstances that stood in the way.
“The establishment and maintenance of human resource development strategies, together with adequately funded, quality assured training, are essential for developing and maintaining a qualified and competent workforce to manage the State’s current evolving systems,” Mr Ma said.
“I strongly encourage you to embark on a regional approach in building regional training centres of excellence, to achieve self-sufficiency in regional capacity building.
“You can count on the ICAO’s fullest cooperation in your endeavours.”
Mr Ma said it was encouraging to note that considerable effort in the civil aviation field had been initiated from within the region through high-level forums such as RAMM3, and through launching of visionary strategies such as the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy (PRAS).
He said ICAO was encouraged by the aviation strategy and well-defined outcome statements documented under the strategic goal of regional connectivity, and its two priority streams – aviation safety and security, and harmonised regulatory systems.
“That will help to drive improvement in Pacific regional aviation safety and security performance towards parity with the rest of the world.”
Mr Ma said ICAO’s implementation strategy and roadmap for the Pacific would be informed and guided by the aspirations and direction communicated in PRAS.
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated MARCH 21, 2025.
