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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is hosting a regional aviation security seminar today and tomorrow (April 23 and 24) on the development of an Asia Pacific Regional Work Programme.
In co-operation with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the seminar, at Two International Finance Centre, aims to promote sustainable development in aviation security and encourage closer co-operation among aviation authorities in the Asia Pacific region.
Addressing the opening session, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo, called for harmony and co-operation among aviation administrations in the region in response to the new challenges to aviation security systems.
"Only through the concerted efforts of each and every member state, can threats be effectively managed, and a secure and safe air transport system be maintained," Mr Lo said.
He said the formation of a regional co-operative programme would promote development of sustainable aviation security practices to meet the challenges.
The CAD also hosted the Sixth Steering Committee Meeting of the ICAO Co-operative Aviation Security Programme - Asia Pacific (CASP-AP) on Tuesday and yesterday (April 21 and 22).
The CASP-AP is a programme initiated in 2005 by the ICAO with the objective of assisting the participating states and administrations to comply with international aviation security standards, and enhancing the aviation security capabilities of the members. The programme currently comprises 24 members within the Asia Pacific region.
In the CASP-AP meeting this year, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo, took over the chairmanship of the CASP-AP. At the meeting, the members agreed on the work plan for the coming year and discussed the establishment of an aviation security standing structure to facilitate information sharing, co-operation and co-ordination in aviation security matters, and endorsed the continuation of the programme to 2014.
Ends/Thursday, April 23, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00
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