With 163 votes out of 184 voting countries, Italy has been re-elected to the first category of the ICAO Council (International Civil Aviation Organization), achieving an excellent result at the global level: first among European Nations and fourth one in the world overall, after Brazil, China and Japan. 

The re-election took place on 27 September, during the 42nd ICAO General Assembly, held (23 September-3 October) in Montreal, Canada (see AVIONEWS), in which the 36 members of the Council were renewed, divided into three categories which, by relevance, represent the countries that boast a significant aeronautical industrial history and an influential air transport policy, and to which the governance mandate for the next three-year term is assigned. 

“This important result – said ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma – confirms Italy’s leading role in the governance of civil aviation. Air transport is a global system that requires everyone’s collaboration so that no country is left behind. Italy is ready to contribute with responsibility and vision on all major issues, from sustainability to innovative air mobility, from suborbital flights to the rights of all passengers, with particular attention to PRM and the most vulnerable people, including the welfare of animals, members of our families, a topic we have brought to the attention of the ICAO Assembly to share a social revolution”. 

The reconfirmation in the first category represents an important recognition of the commitment of the entire country system, this time also represented by the Government with the participation at the Assembly of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi, head of the Italian delegation (see AVIONEWS). A success that reflects the commitment, in addition to ENAC, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian permanent representation to ICAO, and the delegates from other institutions and the national industry of the sector. 

The result gains further significance in view of the appointment of the new ICAO president, scheduled for November, who will lead the organization in the 2026-2029 three year period. 

“We are proud of this achievement – added ENAC Director General, Alexander D’Orsogna, who was also just appointed to the Eurocontrol board – which rewards Italy’s commitment to ensuring flight safety, the protection of passenger rights, sustainability and the competitiveness of the sector. Civil aviation is made of people who, every day, make safe connections between peoples possible” (see AVIONEWS).