Third EASA International Cooperation Forum (ICF) Gets Underway in Singapore

Nov. 15, 2011
The Forum is being held Nov. 15-17 at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is organising the third edition of its International Cooperation Forum in Singapore from 15 to 17 November 2011. The Forum is being held at the Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

EASA’s International Cooperation Forum, first held in 2008, brings together states and aviation organisations which apply the European aviation safety standards in their national or regional jurisdictions. Its aim is to share experience and best practice, discuss the latest developments in safety standards and promote aviation safety world-wide. The Forum is complemented with dedicated technical cooperation activities such as training courses and technical workshops.

‘The European aviation safety system has become a point of reference’, said Patrick Goudou, EASA Executive Director. ‘At the same time, there is a lot we can learn from our international partners. The extension of our competences to all regulatory aspects of the aviation safety chain has opened up new areas of cooperation.  I am confident that in this third edition of the EASA International Cooperation Forum, the first one in the Asia Pacific region, we can take our partnership a step further’, he added.

‘CAAS is pleased to host EASA’s International Cooperation Forum this year, as part of the increasing cooperation between CAAS and EASA on aviation safety. With the continuing growth of aviation, ensuring a high level of safety is of even greater importance; and this Forum provides a useful platform for all the partners to work together towards this goal. It is particularly opportune that the International Cooperation Forum is being held in the Asia Pacific for the first time given the rapid development of aviation in this region,’ said Yap Ong Heng, Director-General of CAAS.

Some 100 delegates from more than 50 civil aviation authorities and international organisations have come together in Singapore. The agenda of this year’s conference features updates on a number of key developments in aviation safety in Europe, as well as in other world regions. Furthermore, a series of thematic workshops aim to provide the platform for constructive dialogue on four specific areas: Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOO); technical cooperation in the form of organisational support; meeting ICAO requirements for the implementation of State Safety Programmes; and the surveillance of foreign operators.

The first and second EASA International Cooperation Forum took place in Cologne, Germany (2008) and in Dubai, UAE (2010). For more information, visit the dedicated website at http://www.easa.europa.eu/conferences/icf2011/index.html