Guyana is positioning itself at the centre of global aviation safety discussions, as the country hosts the 3rd Global Forum for Aviation Safety for the first time.
The two-day forum officially opened on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, bringing together aviation regulators, accident investigators, international organisations, technical experts and industry representatives from nearly 60 countries.
The forum, being held under the theme “Optimising Resources through Coordination and Cooperation,” is jointly organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and hosted by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field said that “the country depends on aviation to really move this economy, especially in the areas of mining, tourism and agriculture. Our commitment to aviation safety is equally as strong as our growth.”
The forum provides a platform for countries to examine how regional cooperation can strengthen aviation safety oversight and accident and incident investigation, particularly by allowing states to pool technical expertise, human resources and other specialised capabilities.
For Guyana, however, the significance extends beyond hosting an international conference.
The event provides an opportunity for local aviation stakeholders to engage directly with some of the world’s leading aviation regulators and safety experts, while strengthening Guyana’s relationships with international aviation institutions and creating avenues for the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
Director of ICAO’s Air Navigation Bureau, Michele Merkle, underscored the importance of regional cooperation, noting that stronger collaboration among countries is essential to advancing aviation connectivity and safety.
“Regional cooperation goes well beyond sharing resources. It builds communities of expertise through which knowledge, experience and solutions can move more quickly through the global aviation network,” she noted.
The timing of the forum is significant, as Guyana’s aviation sector continues to expand.
Discussions at the forum are addressing issues including regional cooperation, the delegation of safety and investigative functions, aviation workforce development, sustainable financing, industry partnerships and the harmonisation of regulatory frameworks.
The forum concludes on Wednesday, September 30th.
The second day will also examine strategies for attracting and retaining aviation professionals, sustainable funding models and closer collaboration between regulators and the aviation industry.
For Guyana, hosting the global forum represents an opportunity not only to welcome international aviation leaders, but to deepen technical cooperation, expose local professionals to international expertise and strengthen the country’s participation in the global aviation community as its own aviation sector continues to grow.