At a follow-up ICAO Regional
Security conference held in Dakar, Senegal recently which is sequel
to the Africa Security Roadmap meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, April
2010, a number of States from across Africa consented to work
together with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
to improve aviation security.
The Director General of Nigeria's
Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, who presided
over the Regional Conference, describes the development as an
important step in enhancing aviation security in Africa and around
the world. "Africa's recognition of the need for action to address
the terrorist threat, whatever form it may take, is truly inspiring
because it contributes to a global solution to the global problem,"
says Dr. Demuren.
The representatives from 35 African States agree on a Joint
Statement calling the ICAO Declaration on Aviation Security adopted
unanimously by ICAO's 37th Assembly in October 2010 a comprehensive
global policy framework for strengthening aviation security through
international cooperation.
The States pledge to implement all
of the Declaration's elements, while taking into account the
regional Abuja Declaration and its Roadmap on Aviation Security
adopted by African States in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2010.
Part of the outcome of the meeting
also was that ICAO should work with the African Civil Aviation
Commission (AFCAC) to further develop the African Roadmap in light
of the Assembly Declaration.
In this regard, the participants
recognize the need to focus on enhancing aviation security through
intensified, cooperative efforts to address security deficiencies
and strengthen security systems, notably, through sharing of
information and best practices.