The 8th African Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week Conference will be held in Nairobi for the first time thanks to an agreement Kenya has struck with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
At a ceremony on Tuesday at the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Headquarters, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed.
It signalled the start of a solid relationship and commitment between the Kenyan government and ICAO to advance the aviation industry in the continent of Africa.
The ICAO ESAF Regional Director, Lucy Mbugua, attended the event on behalf of ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar, and she conveyed her appreciation for the cordial welcome she received upon her return to the aviation industry in her new position.
She expressed Salazar’s greetings and emphasised the value of the MOU.
“The MOU for the hosting of the 8th AFI Aviation Week Conference in Nairobi signifies the strong partnership and commitment between the Kenya Government and ICAO,” Mbugua stated.
She added, “This event will bring together key stakeholders in the aviation sector from across the African continent and beyond, providing a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.”
Emile Arao, Director-General of the KCAA, announced after the signing that this will be the second meeting of the regional safety oversight organisation; the first meeting was held in 2017.
He emphasised that by funding the event, the Kenyan government has expressed its support for the AFI Aviation Week Conference.
Emirates Airways and Qatar are two additional organisations that have endorsed the event.
The ICAO AFI Aviation Week, which is scheduled for August 21–25, is a much-anticipated event that fosters collaboration and addresses difficulties faced by the aviation industry, especially in the areas of safety, security, convenience, and sustainability of air transport in the African region.
Kenya intends to show its steadfast commitment to promoting aviation in the area and to reaffirm its commitment to upholding the State’s duties to ICAO as a contracting State by hosting this important event.
