On the meeting of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) in ICAO

ICAO: Enhancing the role of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations is an objective need. 

On 15 December, 2017 in the ICAO headquarters CANIS and SANIS forums on prospects of air navigation and aviation safety development have been concluded. Following the results of the Forum the meeting of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations on enhanced collaboration and counteraction with ICAO was held.

At the 39th Session of the ICAO Assembly, the organization proposed the creation of a collaborative platform between Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) within the framework of the Global Aviation Safety Oversight System (GASOS) concept. The initiative was supported by the Interstate Aviation Committee, EASA, and regional organizations in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. 

At the meeting on December 15, 2017 organized by the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau, in addition to the IAC and EASA, 13 more regional organizations were represented, uniting the efforts of more than 50 countries.

The IAC, as the oldest and most authoritative regional organization of its kind, supported ICAO's efforts to establish close ties with regional organizations and shared its experience of 25 years of successful regional cooperation. Today, the Interstate Council on Aviation and Use of Airspace and the IAC cooperate on the basis of international agreements, including comprehensive airworthiness and aviation safety agreements with India, Canada, China, and the United States, as well as agreements with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, as well as international organizations such as ICAO, IATA, EASA, COCESNA, IFALPA, ITSA, the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Community, and others. A total of 75 states and 19 international organizations participate.

Currently, supporting ICAO global GANP and GASP plans, the IAC is expanding its interaction with states at the regional level in the field of ATM systems modernization, CNS/ANM and GBAS concepts implementation; implementation of the concept of building an international training cluster for aviation specialists training, including within the framework of the ICAO-IAC project, extended in 2016 on an indefinite basis; development and implementation of innovative technologies in civil aviation; in the field of ​​establishing interstate mechanisms for regulating air transport activities based on demonopolization, competition, mutual benefit and respect for international rules and the national interests of the States Parties to the Agreement on Civil Aviation and Use of Airspace in order to promote economically sustainable development and accessibility of air transport services.

The meeting heard ICAO reports on its preparatory activities and reviewed the draft terms of reference for the newly established RSOO cooperation platform. A constructive exchange of views and discussions took place on information exchange between organizations, exchange of best practices on implementation of safety oversight authorities, on monitoring of Standards and Recommended practices implementation in the member states and implementation of measures for aviation safety level enhancement based on ICAO audits were held. 

Participants unanimously agreed on the need to expand such cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of their authorities implementation. The pursuit of efficiency underlies the creation of such organizations, which provide a high level of competence and resources (specialists, inspectors, laboratory, training, and technical facilities) while guaranteeing participating States significant economic benefits through resource sharing. Some States are currently unable, either economically or demographically, to independently maintain a high level of compliance with ICAO standards. Consolidating efforts and effectively utilizing resources is an urgent need. ICAO is increasingly focusing on the development of regional civil aviation organizations and is striving to provide them with the necessary support and recognition.

According to the ICAO President “The RSOO model is time tested, and also an important means by which many States which cannot afford to provide effective aviation safety oversight can pool their resources and avoid duplication of efforts” (ICAO JOURNAL – ISSUE 2 2017)

The meeting participants agreed to further effective cooperation, develop joint documents, and hold regular consultations, the first of which is scheduled for early 2018 via teleconference.

During the visit to ICAO, the IAC delegation held a number of working meetings with ICAO leadership, Air Navigation Bureau, Audit Section, Accident Investigation Section, and representatives of EASA, IATA, and other international organizations.