Minister of Transport H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani addressing the ICAO Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025) in Doha yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Transport H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani has said that reinforcing operational resilience, responding to regulatory and economic shifts, and embracing digital transformation have emerged as strategic priorities for civil aviation industry.
He was addressing the ICAO Facilitation Conference (FALC 2025) which began yesterday under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The ICAO FALC 2025 is being hosted by Qatar and organised by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The four-day ICAO FALC 2025 is being attended by more than 120 ministers and aviation authority chiefs from around the world and numerous high-profile officials, experts and leaders representing civil aviation industry in 190 countries.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Transport emphasised the importance of hosting the 2025 ICAO Facilitation Conference at a time when the civil aviation industry is facing increasing challenges.
“The conference serves as a pivotal platform for developing innovative and proactive solutions to drive a more efficient and sustainable global air transport system. He noted that Qatar’s hosting of such a major conference highlights the country’s strong commitment to civil aviation as a cornerstone of economic growth and enhanced regional and global connectivity.
Lauding Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways, the minister said that HIA, the winner of numerous world awards, is symbolic of the country’s commitment to providing a world-class infrastructure for an exceptional passenger experience, and Qatar Airways named the world’s best airline for several years, embodies such a commitment in the form of offering an integrated travel experience based on latest traveller data systems that helped cut wait time, and improve security check procedures.
The Minister invited participants to take full advantage of this opportunity to deepen international cooperation and engage in productive discussions that lead to meaningful collaboration and impactful solutions for improving air transport facilitation and the traveller experience.
Lauding Qatar’s commitment to developing air transport facilitation, President of the ICAO Council Salvatore Sciacchitano said that Qatar plays an active role as a key partner in the future of the civil aviation industry.
“I would like to begin by expressing ICAO’s deepest gratitude to the Government of Qatar for hosting this important event, and for its unwavering commitment to enhancing facilitation for air transport,” he said.
Sciacchitano said that the choice of this year’s theme “reflects our agreement on the core principles that will enable us to move forward on facilitating the future of air transport worldwide”.
He added that Qatar’s cooperation with ICAO is particularly significant amid the current challenges and the need for further integration and resilience.
He called for redefining the future of the industry via adopting new technologies that improve the travel experience and reduce airport congestion.
“Through biometrics, digital travel documents, and automated border control systems, we can transform the passenger experience. ICAO will continue supporting the responsible adoption of emerging technologies while ensuring compliance with global standards,” he added.
Sciacchitano called for eliminating barriers for passengers with disabilities and those with reduced mobility and a fair and humane treatment with refugees and combating human trafficking.
In his address, In Charge of Managing QCAA Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri emphasised Qatar’s emergence as a global aviation leader, driven not only by its advanced infrastructure but also by its intellectual leadership, active engagement in ICAO initiatives, and ongoing efforts to raise international standards in the sector.
“It underscores the need for collaborative efforts to achieve efficiency, inclusivity, and resilience in the transport of passengers and cargo, ensuring smooth and secure global movement. This is not just an operational necessity but a key factor in strengthening the aviation sector’s role and its positive impact on the global economy. It drives connectivity between nations, particularly as the industry undergoes significant transformation and rapid technological advancement. This requires a proactive, cooperative approach to address emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities in air transport facilitation.”
Held under the theme, “Facilitating the Future of Air Transport: Collaboration, Efficiency, Inclusivity,” the conference offers a unique platform for states and aviation industry stakeholders to explore advancements in air transport facilitation.
It encourages dialogue on improving cooperation and operational efficiency in global air travel, while fostering collaboration among participants to develop a comprehensive global facilitation strategy that can adapt to the sector’s rapid evolution. The ICAO Facilitation Conference is distinguished by its high-level ministerial segment, which sets the strategic tone for the event.
