Civil Aviation Minister inaugurates 24th Steering committee Meeting of Co-operative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness – South Asia
New Delhi. Union Minister of Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated 24th Steering committee Meeting of Co-operative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness – South Asia, ICAO in New Delhi today.
Speaking on the occasion the minister invited all the SAARC countries and member states of COSCAP to cooperate on various issues concerning aviation sector and bring about growth. Underlining the need for making sky safer for aviation, he said technology and regulations both play important role to achieve the objectives.
Addressing the three day conference Secretary, Civil Aviation Rajiv Nayan Choubey emphasized on the need for upgrading CAAs technologically and share expertise amongst the member countries. While highlighting the growth of passenger traffic, the Secretary said the safety regulators are facing three challenges- very fast paced growth in technology, explosive growth of passenger traffic and challenges of quality manpower. He said that adequate aviation infrastructure should precede growth not follow it. He called upon the member countries in the region to avail the facility made available by GAGAN project launched by India. Ms. M. Sathiyavathi, DGCA welcomed about 87 delegates who include senior officers of Directorate General of Civil Aviation of COSCAP-SA member states and other stakeholders from the industry.
The Co-operative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness – South Asia under the aegis of ICAO, is a joint programme of seven SAARC countries, namely India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Delegation also includes donors and industry participants e.g. Airbus, Boeing, EASA-EC, ICAO, COSCAP-SA, France Embassy, Airlines, Airport Operators, AAI, IMD.
The programme is aimed in assisting the participant States in developing regulations and standards and to improve their independent oversight capabilities. The programme is managed by a Steering Committee consisting of the Directors General of the seven States. ICAO Headquarters and Regional Office Bangkok carry out overall supervision and provide guidance to the programme. The Programme commenced in 1997 and is presently in its Phase IV (2013 – 2017).
The Programme is financed by a Trust Fund which consists of Member States’ annual subscriptions and contributions of donor agencies including Partners. The contribution of the States is determined by ICAO, Headquarters based on the services rendered to the individual State.
The programme is managed by a Steering Committee consisting of the Directors General of the seven States. ICAO Headquarters and Regional Office Bangkok carry out overall supervision and provide guidance to the programme. The members of the Steering Committee includes, Heads/ DGs of the participating States; Director, ICAO TCB; Regional Director, ICAO APAC; and Programme Coordinator, who acts Secretary to the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee is headed by the Chairperson who is selected amongst the SC Members and holds office for a period of two consecutive years and presides over the SC meetings which are held every year. Currently, DGCA India is the Chairperson of the Steering Committee.
