About participation of IAC experts in the 5th European Meeting of the ICAO Collaborative Arrangement of the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA) – CAPSCA–EUR/5

Representatives of the Interstate Aviation Committee, ministries and departments of the healthcare system and aviation authorities of more than forty European countries, Commonwealth states, as well as CAPSCA project coordinators from ICAO, WHO and other international organizations took part in CAPSCA-EUR/5 meeting.

CAPSCA is the only program in the world that coordinates the response of the international aviation sector to public health risks in close cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO). In this regard, strengthening ties and establishing coordination between health institutions and the aviation sector are crucial both internally and at the interregional level.

The CAPSCA meetings are a unique opportunity to draw the attention of participants to the importance of joint actions of the states and international organizations participating in the program aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the aviation sector to counter international threats in public health.

The meeting participants discussed the results and prospects of cooperation in the field of health protection and sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population of the countries of the ICAO European and North Atlantic region. The issues of interdisciplinarity on prevention of emergency situations in the field of public health in civil aviation were considered.

The meeting paid much attention to the coordination of public health emergency preparedness programs and plans at the global, regional, national and operational levels, the need to conduct exercises involving observers from other states and organizations, and the development of standardized training of technical consultants.

IAC, being an international partner of ICAO for the CAPSCA-EUR project and coordinator of the project with the aviation authorities of the Commonwealth states, presented to the forum a report with information on IAC activities on shaping international norms in the prevention of public health hazards in civil aviation of the Commonwealth states.

The meeting indicated that the accession of the new states of the ICAO Eastern European region to the contracting states of the Agreement on Cooperation for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation will be very useful. In this connection, for its part, the IAC is ready to develop initiatives aimed at the accession of the states of the Agreement to the CAPSCA project.

The meeting participants emphasized that new threats could negatively affect the work of aviation industry, including public health emergencies. Awareness, preparedness/proficiency and network structure are necessary to ensure continuity of aviation communications, as well as to anticipate and prevent threats to public health.

Detailed information on CAPSCA-EUR / 5 meeting is available on the ICAO website.