IAC and BAGAIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding

The Interstate Aviaiton Committee (IAC) and Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of aircraft accident and incident investigation and prevention. The document was signed by the IAC Chairman, Oleg Strochevoy, and BAGAIA Commissioner, Engr. Charles Irikefe Erhueh.

The signing took place on September 25, 2025, in Montreal at ICAO Headquarters during the 42nd Assembly Session with the participation of representatives of the Regional Safety Cooperation Unit of the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau and the States Parties to the Agreement on Civil Aviation and Use of Airspace: Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The Memorandum marks the first agreement of its kind between two Regional Accident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs). It symbolizes a new era of global cooperation in aviation accident and incident investigation. The Memorandum reflects ICAO's position that aviation safety issues transcend national borders and require enhanced international cooperation.

The document provides a detailed framework for cooperation in air crash investigation and accident prevention. It grants RAIOs the right to share technical expertise, specialized equipment, and research results, and encourages joint research into new safety technologies. Furthermore, the agreement creates a platform for sharing best practices, enabling both regions to mitigate accident risk and strengthen aviation oversight.

The document focuses on creating opportunities for professional capacity building. Joint seminars, regional training events, and mentoring for accident investigation specialists are planned. These initiatives will enhance the professional skills of personnel in Africa and Eurasia, expanding the global aviation safety network across the continents.

Particular attention is given to harmonizing investigation procedures and regulations. This will streamline cross-border investigations, improve the consistency of accident reporting, and align regulations with ICAO Standards. This harmonized practice aims to address long-term challenges in aviation safety oversight, particularly in resource-constrained regions.

The provisions provide clear obligations of the Parties. Both Parties will cooperate in air accident investigation, prevention, and training through the exchange of expertise and joint participation in safety initiatives.

At the signing ceremony, the leaders of both Parties emphasized that this document, by uniting Africa and Eurasia on a single investigative platform, will serve as an example for future agreements between other regional safety oversight organizations.

In conclusion, the IAC Chairman thanked his colleagues from the Regional Safety Cooperation Unit of the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau for their assistance in the preparation and signing of this Memorandum.

Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) — an intergovernmental organization uniting West African countries to jointly investigate air accidents and improve aviation safety. It was established under the Banjul Agreement, signed by West African states to coordinate civil aviation activities and enhance aviation safety.