The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is gearing up to host the 4th ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2025 (GISS 2025) from 10-12 February 2025.
The event will see the launch of an accompanying exhibition ‘Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace’ (GSAM 2025), a key initiative by the UAE under the ICAO umbrella, which seeks to boost global efforts to produce alternative and low-carbon fuels for the international aviation sector.
The international GISS 2025 will gather over 1,500 participants, including representatives from ICAO’s 193 member states, as well as ministers, heads, and directors-general specializing in transport, aviation, and energy. Additionally, it will feature 150 speakers, including experts, senior government officials, and CEOs from top companies in these key industries.
The accompanying GSAM 2025 exhibition will showcase 75 global companies that focus on aviation, energy, and advanced technologies.
His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA Board, and Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the ICAO Council will inaugurate the symposium.
His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA, commented that, “Hosting the UAE of these major and influential international events in the civil aviation sector reflects its pioneering position at both the regional and global levels, and its continuous commitment to supporting international efforts to enhance sustainability in this vital sector.”
Al Marri was optimistic that the events would lead to the introduction of new programs, initiatives, and recommendations that support international efforts to develop the civil aviation sector, boost its competitiveness and sustainability, and foster investment in innovation and cutting-edge technologies to achieve this goal.
Salvatore Sciacchitano Council President – ICAO
“The ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium 2025 (GISS 2025) will bring together states, industry leaders, and stakeholders to shape the future of aviation. This symposium will focus on two critical areas transforming the industry: sustainability and artificial intelligence, while ensuring the safety and security of aviation operations. Sustainability in aviation goes beyond its environmental impact; it encompasses long-term economic viability and operational efficiency. The GISS will explore the evolving regulatory landscape, global standards, and the safe integration of new technologies into aviation operations.”
“The holding of this event in Abu Dhabi reflects the UAE’s leading position as a strategic partner in the development of the civil aviation sector and its pivotal role in supporting innovation and enhancing sustainability in this field,” added His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA.
Al Suwaidi also underscored that the inaugural GSAM 2025 adds special significance to the event, as this pioneering initiative falls in line with the pressing needs of the international aviation sector to achieve a true global consensus on low-carbon alternative fuels and work towards boosting their production in the coming years.
The agenda will include the participation of leading officials from around the world, such as Barbara Creecy, Minister of Transport of South Africa, Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation of Fiji, Chief Ndlaluhlaza Ndwandwe, Minister for Public Works and Transport of Eswatini, Alhaji Fanday Turay, Minister of Transport and Aviation of Sierra Leone and Abdul Wahab Teffaha Secretary-General of Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), along with other international speakers.
GISS 2025 strives to elevate the safety, security, and sustainability of global civil aviation. This edition, set to be hosted by the UAE, is the first to take place in the Middle East and it revolves around two key areas: sustainability and the application of artificial intelligence in the civil aviation sector.
Previous editions of the symposium took place in Istanbul in Turkey; Seoul in South Korea; and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
The event will feature panel discussions, workshops, and provide opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange among participants, with an aim to enhance international partnerships and transform the civil aviation sector.
The inaugural GSAM 2025 will bring together all stakeholders involved in the production, distribution, financing, storage, and consumption of sustainable aviation fuel. GSAM 2025 will serve as a thriving platform to drive global efforts to develop sustainable solutions that cater to the needs of the civil aviation sector. This will be held in tandem with the Sustainable Aviation Future Congress, organized by Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA.
