Transport Minister, Honourable Dipuo Peters will give a keynote address during the International Civil Aviation Negotiations (ICAN) Conference to be held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.The 5-day International Conference, to be hosted under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will bring to South Africa the Presidents of ICAO and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) respectively, high level aviation representation from more than sixty (60) countries across the globe and more than four hundred (400) aviation experts and delegates from the respective countries.
The proposal to establish the ICAN was first put forward by the Secretariat of ICAO in 2003 at the fifth Worldwide Air Transport Conference with the purpose being to establish means to facilitate and assist States in their air transport liberalisation processes.
South Africa, through the Department of Transport has been given the honour to host this prestigious event from 8 to 13 December 2013 and undertakes this responsibility in collaboration with the Departments of Tourism, Public Enterprises, Home Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) and the Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS).
The details of the International Conference are as follows:
Date: Monday, 8 – 13 December 2013
Time: 09h00
Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC), Durban
NB: All media are required to produce Identity Documents or Passports as well as Press Cards for accreditation purposes as strict accreditation processes with be followed.
Media Registration and Accreditation:
Opens Saturday and Sunday 7-8 December 2013 (08h00 – 18h00).
Registration and Accreditation Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC), Durban.
NB: Journalists attending the event are requested to confirm attendance with Sam Monareng on 071 872 0744 or Monarens@dot.gov.za.
Enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
Additional Notes for Editors
The International Civil Aviation Negotiations Conference is designed to provide member states with a central meeting place to conduct bilateral air services negotiations with identified ICAO contracting member states, thereby saving costs incurred when travelling abroad to meet bilaterally with counterparts.
The first ICAN was held in Dubai in 2008. It brought together 27 States from Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America. These States conducted more than a hundred (100) formal and informal bilateral meetings, leading to the conclusion or signing of over 20 air services agreements.
Based on the success the ICAO took a decision to host this event annually and rotate it in the various regions.
The second ICAN Conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey in 2009 hosted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Turkey. The Conference attracted 52 States from all the regions whose aviation negotiators held more than 200 meetings, resulting in the signing of over 60 air services agreements, thereby paving the way for subsequent agreements and better aviation relations
The third Conference was held in 2010 at Montego Bay, Jamaica. During the Conference, South Africa entered into new air services arrangements and liberalise existing air services with Rwanda, Suriname, Kuwait, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Hong Kong, Liberia, Korea, United Arab Emirates and Jamaica.
The fourth ICAN Conference was held in Mumbai, India. The Republic of South Africa conducted air service negotiations with Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Syria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Slovenia, Iceland, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Azerbaijan and Korea.
ICAN 2012 was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
