Committee Meeting of Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programme - South Asia (COSCAP-SA) here on Wednesday ensured pooling of resources and sharing of expertise for strengthening aviation safety oversight system in the member states.
Secretary Aviation Division and Director General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) Squadron leader Shahrukh Nusrat (retd) presided over the 2nd day's session of 27th Steering Committee Meeting of COSCAP-SA flanked by Muhammad Zahid Bhatti, Director Airworthiness PCAA, and Nawaz Ahmed Khan Sipra, Additional Director ICAO Cell PCAA.
Earlier, speaking at the inaugural session of SCM the other day, Federal Minister for Aviation and Privatisation Muhammadmian Soomro reaffirmed that Pakistan fully supports global policies and guidelines for a safe, efficient, sustainable and viable civil aviation.
He said Pakistan has upgraded its air navigation infrastructure and installed adequate communication, navigation and surveillance facilities to build a strong and dependable air transport system.
Enumerating the recent achievements made in Pakistan's aviation sector he apprised that a newly-built Islamabad International Airport is the most modern green field airport in the country. A number of other international airports have recently been expanded and upgraded. He further said that construction of New Gwadar International Airport will not only make a robust air transport system of the country but will also trigger the economic growth in Pakistan.
Referring to the theme of the meeting "Together for Aviation Safety," Mian Soomro emphasised that it must be put to work in the interest of aviation sector of South Asia region.
He expressed hope that the meeting will place emphasis on fostering sustained, peaceful and unifying ties amongst all Member States directed towards improving aviation safety.
It may be mentioned that the COSCAP-SA is a cooperative programme under the aegis of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) of eight South Asian countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The core function of COSCAP-SA is to enhance capacity building of its member states by providing training and technical assistance in civil aviation sector.
The Programme is supported / sponsored by Airbus, Boeing, Director General Civil Aviation France, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Federal Aviation Administration FAA (USA) and other international aviation organisations / forums.
The idea of COSCAP was conceived in 1997 and COSCAP-SA started working in 1998. So far it has completed its 4 phases of 5 years each. Now, it has entered into its Phase-V.
The COSCAP-SA is managed by a Steering Committee consisting of the directors general of civil aviation administration of its member states; Director ICAO Technical Cooperation Bureau; Regional Director ICAO Asia Pacific Region; and the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) The COSCAP SA Steering Committee meets at least once a year. So far its 26 meetings have been held in different member states.
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