Rabat – Morocco has secured a seat on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following elections held Tuesday during the UN agency’s 42nd session in Montreal.
The Moroccan ambassador to Canada, Souriya Otmani, described the outcome as “a brilliant election” that reflects the country’s positive reputation and international credibility.
She noted that Morocco has made civil aviation a national priority by strengthening air safety, security, services, and sustainability in line with international aviation standards.
The country’s successful candidacy was also supported by the active participation of its delegation to the ICAO Assembly, led by Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh.
According to Otmani, Moroccan representatives held several bilateral meetings with civil aviation authorities from other nations, consolidating alliances and support ahead of the vote.
The ICAO Assembly convenes at least once every three years to gather representatives from all 193 member states alongside numerous international organizations and set the global policy of the UN aviation body for the following three years. The event makes council membership a key platform for influencing the future of international civil aviation.
Transport Minister Kayouh also presented Morocco’s civil aviation strategy, stressing reforms to boost competitiveness and investment.
Morocco has signed over 100 air agreements, including “Open Sky” deals with the US and EU, and joined the Single African Air Transport Market.
These policies helped make the country Africa’s top tourist destination with 17.4 million visitors in 2024 and over 18 million air passengers in the first seven months of 2025, linked through 435 routes to 59 countries.
