ICAO synchronized its efforts with all member states.
At the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal, a new ICAO Council was elected, and a clear framework was established for the organization's activities and for global aviation for the next three-year cycle, DKNews.kz reports.
For Kazakhstan, this Assembly was a special one: for the first time, our country stepped forward as an active and mature player. The Kazakh delegation, led by Saltanat Tompiyeva, Chair of the Civil Aviation Committee of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented 33 initiatives to the global aviation community. These were not just broad declarations, but practical mechanisms - ranging from inspector training and personnel licensing to the integration of unmanned systems and the use of AI for safety oversight.
Kazakhstan proposed the development of concrete measures, recommendations, and regulations that are currently absent from international aviation practice. Their implementation and application could significantly enhance cooperation between countries, improve flight safety, and strengthen civil aviation security.
This applies unified global system of ICAO’s responding to medical emergencies on board aircraft, that require special treatment due to cabin restrictions, different level of crew training and absence coordinated procedures with medical services on the ground.
Kazakhstan expressed the need to develop ICAO regulations for licensing of air traffic control engineers (ATSEP), which responsible for the reliability of communication, navigation and observation. These engineers are important for the safety of flight, as mechanics are important for the airworthiness of aircraft, but different practices across countries pose risks to global security and system compatibility.
Kazakhstan also put forward an initiative to develop unified international standards for assessing pilots' psychological traits that impact flight safety, such as stress resilience and decision-making under pressure. Our experts highlighted the need to create psychometric assessment guidelines that would help countries license pilots in a safe and consistent manner.
Kazakhstan also proposed the creation of a global database of aviation personnel licenses and training center certificates. This would enable the verification of pilots' and specialists’ qualifications from different countries within a unified system, facilitating international cooperation. Such a platform would support mutual recognition of qualifications, reduce bureaucracy, and enhance aviation safety.
These and many other proposals were put forward by Kazakhstan based on its own practical experience. They are not just conceptual statements, but ready-to-implement solutions that address real gaps in the global aviation industry. The logic behind them is simple: the more transparent the rules and technologies, the more reliable and predictable international operations become for both passengers and airlines.
At the opening of the Assembly, President of the ICAO Council Salvatore Sciacchitano emphasized that «the way we shape the future of aviation today will determine the opportunities this industry will offer the world for generations to come. Let this Assembly be remembered as the one that set the course for aviation development in the 21st century».
The 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly will be remembered for events that took place for the first time in the history of this major and respected global organization.
This year, ICAO launched its first-ever Global Appeal, a consolidated call for mobilizing funding to support flight safety, aviation security, sustainability, and capacity building. Kazakhstan supported the initiative and reaffirmed its full commitment to ICAO’s policies and goals, particularly the Organization’s initiative known as the «Transformational Objective».
For the first time, the position of Vice-Chair of the ICAO Administrative Commission was held by a representative from Central Asia. Saltanat Tompiyeva, Head of Kazakhstan’s Civil Aviation Committee, was elected to this post. This milestone reflects the growing role and influence of the region in global aviation, as well as the high level of trust in Kazakhstan’s expertise and its contribution to shaping the global agenda on safety, sustainability, and industry development.
Additionally, Kazakhstan’s role as an active supporter of the development of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) was acknowledged. Our country serves as a key link in the international aviation system and is taking all necessary steps to establish resilient transport corridors and enhance global connectivity. This was highlighted during the ICAO High-Level Panel Session on «The Critical Role of Aviation in Advancing Sustainable Development in Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).
Nicolas Rallo, Regional Director of the ICAO EUR/NAT Office, emphasized that the success of aviation development depends on strong partnerships between governments, donors, development banks, the private sector, and all relevant stakeholders.
Alongside the main agenda, a High-Level Youth Summit (Youth/NGAP) was held, where countries discussed career pathways for aviation professionals, digital skills, and leadership programs for young people. As part of the summit, the Global Aviation Awards took place, featuring 84 projects from 52 countries. For the first time, Kazakhstan has won this prestigious award: the project by employees of the Kazaeronavigatsia State Enterprise took third place.
Notably, from November 4 to 6, 2025, the city of Almaty will host a regional ICAO seminar, with the focus on advancing ICAO’s key NGAP (Next Generation of Aviation Professionals) program goals.
For the first time, during the sidelines of the ICAO Assembly, the Kazakh delegation held an unprecedented number of meetings with representatives from various countries, including the United States, European nations, Asia, and the Middle East. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation and increasing the number of flights. There was notable interest from foreign states, which received a clear message: Kazakhstan’s civil aviation sector is a reliable partner, ready for joint projects and tangible results.
A key milestone of this Assembly was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Kazakhstan and Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau.
Important agreements were also reached with the United Kingdom, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Qatar, as well as with international organizations such as Eurocontrol, the FAA, EASA, and the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau.
In her address during the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly, Saltanat Tompiyeva expressed Kazakhstan’s full support for ICAO’s priorities to the Organization’s leadership and participants. She emphasized the country’s readiness to move from declarations to concrete actions.
«A special milestone came in July 2025, when Kazakhstan welcomed, for the first time, an official visit of the ICAO Council President. Your Excellency, Mr. President, we are sincerely grateful to you for this visit, which became an important symbol of trust and recognition of our efforts.
The result was the signing of the Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) until 2050 — an ambitious document setting the course for decades ahead. This plan will serve as a solid foundation for strengthening our cooperation with ICAO, ensuring synergy in our efforts to develop safe, sustainable, and innovative aviation.
I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Kazakhstan became the first country in the CIS and Central Asia to establish such a format of strategic partnership with ICAO, creating a unique platform for long-term engagement».
For Kazakhstan, the 42nd Assembly marked a turning point from being a follower to becoming a driver of the global aviation agenda. Over the next three years, the focus will be on turning ideas into reality, with measurable outcomes and scalable results.
Kazakhstan’s contribution is systemic and has a multiplier effect not limited to isolated initiatives but aimed at building a framework of rules and competencies that can be scaled not only across Central Asia, but beyond.
All steps taken to advance civil aviation and strengthen Kazakhstan’s standing as a reliable international partner represent a significant move toward the country’s main goal: in 2028, Kazakhstan plans to submit its candidacy for a seat on the governing body of the International Civil Aviation Organization - the ICAO Council.
