On 2-4 April, the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) held its Annual General Meeting in Niue. 45 participants – including Director Generals and Chief Executives, Directors of Civil Aviation, Senior Government officials including representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Airways New Zealand, and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) travelled from across the Pacific to Niue for the event.

The PASO ouncil meets twice a year and involves bringing together governments and regulatory authorities, as well as relevant stakeholders from across the pacific to govern and direct the Pacific Aviation Safety Office. The meeting in Niue involved opportunities to cover a wide range of governance matters and important aviation matters affecting the region.  PASO’s continuing strengthening and reform was also discussed.  Delegates heard of PASO’s healthy financial and operational performance of during 2018 and discussed a range of initiatives and planned activities that will strengthen aviation across the region. 

A key highlight of the meeting was progressing the proposal for the reinstatement of a Regional Aviation Minister’s Meeting, to be considered by Leaders at the 50th Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu in August 2019.