The Singapore delegation to the ICAO’s 42nd assembly session was led by Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow (front row, centre). - Photo: Jeffrey Siow/Facebook
SINGAPORE: Singapore was re-elected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) council at its 42nd assembly session, held in Montreal, Canada, on Saturday (Sept 27).
It is one of 36 states sitting on the governing body of ICAO, a United Nations agency that oversees global aviation standards and practices.
The Singapore delegation was led by Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow.
In a Facebook post on Sept 28, Siow said that Singapore’s place on the council was secured with a “record number of votes”. It had garnered 176 of 184 votes, earning the largest number of votes among all elected states.
“In a world where rules matter less and small countries find it harder to exert influence, we have to work harder with like-minded partners to secure our interests,” he said.
Well-functioning international organisations like ICAO remain important platforms to build a world that Singapore can continue to do well and prosper in, he added.
Siow also said in a statement by the Ministry of Transport on Sept 28 that Singapore is honoured to be re-elected to the ICAO council, as the strong international leadership by ICAO – together with support from its member states and the industry – will allow governments to work together to address challenges ahead.
He noted that Singapore stands ready to work with all stakeholders and partners to contribute to these efforts for the benefit of all states.
Singapore was first elected to the council in 2003 at an extraordinary assembly session convened to fill three new council seats and was re-elected at subsequent assembly sessions held every three years. - The Straits Times/ANN
