Why in the news?

  • India has been re-elected to Part II of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the 2025-2028 term.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

  • What is it?: ICAO is an intergovernmental specialized agency associated with the United Nations (UN). 
  • Formations: It was established in 1947 by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) known as the Chicago Convention.
  • Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
  • Motto: “Safe, Secure and Sustainable Development of Civil Aviation.”
  • Members:
    • India is a founding member of ICAO.
    • 193 member states (as of 2025).
  • Functions:
    • ICAO is dedicated to developing safe and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes and ensuring a reasonable opportunity for every state to operate international airlines. 
    • It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security and facilitation, efficiency, and economic development of air transport as well as to improve the environmental performance of aviation. 
    • It also serves as a clearinghouse for cooperation and discussion on civil aviation issues among its 193 member states.
    • It also promotes regional and international agreements aimed at liberalizing aviation markets.
    • It helps to establish legal standards to ensure that the growth of aviation does not compromise safety, and encourages the development of other aspects of international aviation law.