Why it Matters
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Restoration of voting rights: Liberia regains its full voice and influence at ICAO after settling part of its arrears, reinstating its position among 193 Member States.
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Renewed international credibility: Signals Liberia’s commitment to meeting international aviation standards and strengthening global partnerships.
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Strategic bilateral support: Qatar pledges financial assistance, technical support, and training to help Liberia clear arrears and build capacity.
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Targeted training initiatives: Partnership with ITAerea to address gaps identified in the 2022 ICAO USOAP audit through specialised professional development programmes.
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Workforce development: Active participation in ICAO discussions on Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) and Women in Aviation underlines Liberia’s commitment to a skilled and diverse workforce.
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Strengthened regulatory capacity: MOUs and Technical Cooperation agreements to provide training, qualified personnel strategies, and regulatory structure improvements.
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Direct response to ICAO audit findings: Engagements in Montreal specifically address the low Effective Implementation (EI) score of 27.4%, aiming to improve compliance with global safety standards.
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National aviation development: Supports Liberia’s broader objective of building a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation industry aligned with international best practices.
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The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) announced the restoration of its voting rights at the 42nd Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada. The delegation, led by Director General Julius D. Dennis, Jr., attended the convention after Liberia settled part of its outstanding financial obligations to ICAO. The restoration marks Liberia’s renewed commitment to international aviation standards and the development of a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation sector.
The delegation participated in the opening session of the Assembly, re-establishing Liberia’s voice and presence among the 193 Member States.
During the convention, the LCAA held several high-level meetings and bilateral discussions. Talks with representatives of the Qatari government resulted in a pledge of assistance to settle remaining arrears and to provide technical support and training. The delegation also met with ITAerea to develop a specialised training package aimed at addressing discrepancies identified in the 2022 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) audit. The training will focus on professional development and capacity-building to strengthen regulatory oversight functions.
The delegation contributed to wider discussions on key aviation topics, including the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) and Women in Aviation, reflecting Liberia’s commitment to developing a skilled and diverse aviation workforce.
The mission also included the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Technical Cooperation agreements. These agreements are intended to provide skilled training and support the establishment of a stronger Aviation Regulatory structure, including strategies for employing qualified personnel, effective management, and ongoing training. These initiatives directly address the findings and recommendations of the 2022 ICAO USOAP audit.
Liberia’s attendance and engagements at the Assembly are focused on improving the country’s Effective Implementation (EI) score of 27.4% from the 2022 ICAO USOAP audit, which measures the ability to implement safety standards. The partnerships secured in Montreal form part of the LCAA’s strategy to improve this score and ensure compliance with international aviation safety and security standards.
The LCAA, under the leadership of Director General Julius D. Dennis, Jr., remains committed to advancing this objective as the Assembly progresses.
The LCAA is the statutory body responsible for regulating all aspects of civil aviation in Liberia, including air transport services, aviation safety, and security. Its mission is to ensure the development of a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation industry in accordance with international standards.
