Russia is not eligible for re-election to the ICAO Governing Council
Russia is not put to the test, it is re-elected to the governing council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, part of the UN structure) at the assembly in Montreal, Canada. This became known in the ICAO messages twitter.
According to Reuters, Russia did not receive enough votes to remain on the ICAO Council.
The ICAO Council is the governing body of the international civil aviation organization. He is re-elected for three years in the assembly. It was attended by representatives of 193 member countries of the organization. According to the results of the elections, 36 states get into the council.
Elections to the ICAO Council occur in three events:
- the most important topics for world countries were selected (in 2022, such countries were taken from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the USA and the UK);
- the selection of states that do not participate in the council on demand, but, despite this, is of great importance for the world economy;
- the list is complemented by countries from different regions on a residual basis, so that all continents and geographic areas are equally represented.
According to Reuters, Russia was not elected in any of the first two categories. Elections in terms of development are expected on 4 October.
28 September Transport Canada Minister Omar Algabra reported Reuters that Ottawa opposes the re-election of Russia in the governing council of ICAO. He also claimed that Canada “expects other countries to follow suit” about allegedly helping to get Moscow involved in bringing troops into Ukraine. “We are discussing with countries our collective approach, because we need an international collective response,” Algabra said.
Russia’s reaction
In Rosaviatsia clarifiedthat in the first stages of selection, Russia received the support of 80 ICAO Member States with the required minimum of 86 votes.
“At the same time, according to the voting procedure in the council, taking into account the non-election of the 11th member of the council, a re-vote is required. However, the Russian delegation was shown in this, ”the ministry said in a statement.
The decision not to elect Russia to the ICAO Council was called “unfriendly” and “political” by the Federal Air Transport Agency. The agency noted that Moscow receives work through the Russian representation in the organization, as well as its specialized working groups.
ICAO is the United Nations agency that specializes in developing and setting international civil aviation standards. The USSR joined this organization in 1970, after which Russia became the successor country in the field of activity.
- In mid-September, ICAO marked Russia with a red flag due to possible problems with ensuring flight safety. In addition to the Russian Federation, only Bhutan was marked with the same badge. Previously, Eritrea received a similar status. In accordance with ICAO requirements, due to a red flag, any airport in the world, without explanation, may seek to serve the aircraft of the state to which it is assigned.
- In the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, I comment on the decision of ICAO, murderthat the red flag from ICAO does not make Russian aircraft less safe. The organization claimed that such a decision was made against the backdrop of an aggravation of the geopolitical situation.