The 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) opened in Montreal on 23 September 2025, under the theme “Safe Skies, Sustainable Future.”
The ICAO Assembly, held every three years, is the organization’s highest decision-making body, where governments and stakeholders set global aviation priorities, adopt policies, and review progress on international standards.
Sri Lanka is represented by Director General of Civil Aviation, Captain Daminda Rambukwella, who is taking part in the discussions alongside global aviation leaders.
A key issue raised this year is Taiwan’s continued exclusion from ICAO, despite operating the busy Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR), which handled more than 1.6 million flights and 70 million passengers in 2024. Aviation experts and political leaders have reiterated calls for Taiwan’s participation, stressing that air safety and sustainability must remain above politics.
The Assembly runs until 3 October 2025.
