November 3, 2017

Nigeria is set to become the first country to host the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), World Aviation Forum (IWAF), scheduled to hold from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in Abuja.

Mr Ariyo Akinfewa, media consultant to the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on Friday in Lagos, said that although this was the third edition, it was, however, the first time it was being hosted outside the ICAO’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

Akinfewa in a statement said this year’s edition was a special forum because the global aviation communities would converge in Nigeria to deliberate on the theme: “Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure.”

“The country is more than delighted to play host to this all-important forum as the first country in the world to do so.

“This is a rare opportunity for Nigeria being the first time the forum is being held outside Montreal and we are more than delighted to host it,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

Similarly, ICAO in a publication on its website said the forum would explore how development of aviation infrastructure plays a key role in the achievement of the visionary United Nation’s Agenda 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063 prosperity objectives.

According to ICAO, there will also be a special focus on funding and financing of airport, air navigation, and other aviation infrastructure projects.

It said the forum would also stress the importance of aligning policies and planning for air transport with the national development planning.

“This high-level event directly supports the ICAO ‘No Country Left Behind initiative’ and will be of key interest to Ministers and other senior government officials responsible for civil aviation, transport, infrastructure, finance, and tourism, as well as key industry and financial partners.

“During the event, a day will be dedicated fully to Africa aviation development financing.

“The second day of the forum will focus specifically on financing challenges facing aviation infrastructure and capacity development in Africa,” it said.