Russia to work to advance its application for membership in ICAO governing body - Transport Ministry

MOSCOW. Sept 22 (Interfax) - A Russian delegation will attend the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO; the global regulator, part of the UN), where it will present a number of proposals and work to advance a Russian application for membership in the ICAO Council, the Russian Transport Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

"As part of the ICAO working bodies' activities the Russian side will submit documentation containing information on the advanced civil aviation practices currently applied in Russia. A number of constructive proposals will be forward for discussion," the statement said.

The proposals are aimed at improving the legal and regulatory framework, raising the level of flight safety, and ensuring sustainable development in line with today's environmental protection requirements. There are also plans to hold a number of bilateral meetings with ICAO member states "to discuss matters of mutual interest," the statement said.

The Assembly is due to be held in Montreal on September 23-October 3. The Russian delegation will be led by Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin.

The ICAO Council comprises 36 countries and is re-elected every three years at an Assembly session by delegates from 193 member states. The Council consists of three groups: the first one includes countries of primary importance for the global aviation; those in the second group are significant for providing international air navigation. The third group is formed under a geographical principle only, to make sure the Council is representative of all continents.

The current Council does not include Russia. The council was elected at the 41st session of the ICAO Assembly in the fall of 2022, soon after the imposition of anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine. Before that, Russia was in the first group.