Pacific Aviation Safety Office
  • About
    • PASO
    • Strategic Plan
    • Council
    • Office
    • Strategic Partnerships
    • Operating Model
  • Our Work
    • Audits and Inspections
    • Regulatory Assistance
    • Regionalism
    • Case Studies
  • News
    • News
      • Training and Capacity Development
    • Subscribe
  • RAMM
    • RAMM1
    • RAMM2
  • Media Centre
  • Publications
  • PASO Recruitment
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Menu Menu

Why is the Pacific Island Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) being revised?

June 22, 2022

A revised Pacific Island Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) will be presented to Ministers to endorse at the second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting on Wednesday 22 June (Cooks Islands time).

Wayne Kalotiti, Pacific Aviation Safety Office’s Engagement Adviser explains why the PICASST is being revised to ensure it is fit for purpose for the Pacific region.

“The PICASST as it stands is missing fifteen or so years of advancement in the aviation in the Pacific region and we are working to progress that, to capture those changes,” says Wayne.

Learn more at www.paso.aero/ramm2

https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-06-22-at-8.58.10-PM.png 515 918 Lisa Macalister /wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.png Lisa Macalister2022-06-22 21:42:562022-06-23 08:39:39Why is the Pacific Island Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) being revised?

Assessing the impacts of COVID19 on Pacific aviation and scenarios for recovery

June 22, 2022

In the lead up to the 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting on Wednesday 22 June (Cooks Islands time), Annie Kwan Sing, the Pacific Aviation Safety Office’s Head of Regional Engagement explains the impacts of COVID19 on the recovery and restart of aviation in the Pacific region.

“It’ll be exciting for the second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting because that’s where the Ministers will get together to assess Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility COVID-19report, to address how we can collaborate and work together towards our aviation sector’s recovery,’ say Annie.

Learn more at www.paso.aero/ramm2

https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/annie-vid-thumb.png 1080 1920 Lisa Macalister /wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.png Lisa Macalister2022-06-22 21:35:452022-11-29 17:48:14Assessing the impacts of COVID19 on Pacific aviation and scenarios for recovery

Why is the 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting an important milestone?

June 22, 2022

Andrew Valentine, the Pacific Aviation Safety Office’s General Manager outlines why the 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting on Wednesday 22 June (Cooks Islands time) is an important milestone for the Pacific region.

“I’m really delighted that we’ve got this opportunity to connect again on a regional basis at a Ministerial level to progress really important matters, to set the region in the right direction for the region to be on a par with the rest of the world,” says Andrew.

Learn more at www.paso.aero/ramm2

https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-06-22-at-8.52.58-PM.png 516 917 Wade Taylor /wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.png Wade Taylor2022-06-22 21:07:332022-06-22 21:31:25Why is the 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting an important milestone?
Ramm-logo

MEDIA ADVISORY Upcoming 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2)

June 21, 2022

Media are advised of the upcoming second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) and media are invited to attend the RAMM2 opening remarks on Wednesday, 22 June from 1pm.

Pacific Aviation Ministers from 18 Pacific States are meeting virtually at the Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) to ensure there is safe, secure, sustainable, and robust aviation system to benefit the Pacific.

RAMM2 will be virtually hosted by the Government of the Cook Islands and chaired by the Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau. The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) as the RAMM Secretariat are supporting the RAMM2.

The Pacific Ministerial meeting will start with a keynote address by the Secretary General from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar.

Additionally, the following organisations have been invited to attend the RAMM2:

  • Heads of Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP agencies): Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Pacific Community (SPC), Pacific Islands Development Program, Pacific Power Association (PPA), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), South Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO), and University of the South Pacific (USP)
  • Development partners: Asian Development Bank, Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility, and the World Bank
  • Industry stakeholders and dialogue partners: Association of South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Singapore and the United States

At RAMM2, Ministers will consider progress on implementing key regional aviation priorities, including revising the Pacific’s regional aviation treaty, the impacts of COVID-19 on the recovery and re-start of aviation, and the development of a regional aviation strategy.

Media Invitation to the RAMM2 Official Opening Remarks

Wednesday 22nd June  Niue12:00pm – 12:25pm
Cook Island and French Polynesia1:00pm – 1:25pm
Thursday 23rdJune Palau8.00am – 8:25am
Papua New Guinea9:00am – 9:25pm
Australia, FSM, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu10:00am – 10:25pm
Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, RMI and Tuvalu, New Zealand11:00am – 11:25pm
Samoa and Tonga12:00pm – 12:25pm

Zoom Instructions

You must have a Zoom account to attend the RAMM2 for authentication purposes. Media will be muted.

Please contact Lisa Macalister at lmacalister@paso.aero for media meeting registration and access by Wednesday 22 June COB Vanuatu time.

More information

Official RAMM2 media resources are available for download at www.paso.aero/RAMM2

Media Contacts

For the Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau:

Mr. John Hosking, Secretary of Transport, Cook Islands Government

john.hosking@cookislands.gov.ck +682 28810

 

For RAMM Secretariat / Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO):

Ms. Lisa Macalister, PASO Communications Specialist

lmacalister@paso.aero +678 550 5500 (mobile/WhatsApp)

See also www.paso.aero/media-centre

Pacific Aviation Ministers are meeting virtually at the Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) on Wednesday 22 June 2022 (Rarotonga, Cook Islands time) to ensure there is safe, secure, sustainable, and robust aviation system to benefit the Pacific.  Credit Shutterstock

Pacific Aviation Ministers are meeting virtually at the Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) on Wednesday 22 June 2022 (Rarotonga, Cook Islands time) to ensure there is safe, secure, sustainable, and robust aviation system to benefit the Pacific. Credit Shutterstock

https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/Ramm-logo-optimised.png 625 1000 Lisa Macalister /wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.png Lisa Macalister2022-06-21 09:56:342022-06-21 13:46:33MEDIA ADVISORY Upcoming 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2)
The second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) is confirmed for 22 June 2022 (Cook Islands time) to advance significant reforms to Pacific regional aviation. Scene from Kirakira Airport, Solomon Islands. Credit: Jeffrey Aluta Jionsi / ShutterstockCredit: Jeffrey Aluta Jionsi / Shutterstock

Second Pacific Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting confirmed for 22 June 2022 (Cook Islands Time)

June 1, 2022

The second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) has been confirmed to be hosted virtually on 22 June 2022 (Cook Islands time) by the Government of the Cook Islands at a Pacific senior aviation officials meeting on 25 May.

RAMM2 is the follow up to the first Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM1) in 2021, which was successfully convened by the Government of Papua New Guinea, after a gap of two decades.

Pacific Aviation Ministers at RAMM2 will consider progress on the implementation of the Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security. The Port Moresby Declaration was endorsed at RAMM1 to advance significant regional aviation reforms to ensure there is a safe, sustainable, and robust regional aviation system to benefit the Pacific.

“The first Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting also endorsed the Framework for Aviation in the Pacific as the catalyst to advance aviation regional development in the Pacific,” said aviation officials meeting Chair, Mr. John Hosking, Secretary for Transport in the Cook Islands.

“Amending the Pacific’s aviation treaty, developing a regional aviation strategy, enhancing a regional aviation organisation, and considering the impact of COVID-19 on regional aviation were the four key RAMM1 deliverables identified by Ministers.”

“I am pleased to report significant regional progress has been achieved on all four strategic actions, and we are ready to present our joint efforts to Ministers for their consideration at RAMM2,” said Mr. Hosking.

Regional Engagement

Led by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO), as the RAMM Secretariat, senior aviation officials throughout the region are making significant progress on RAMM1 strategic actions as RAMM2 preparations are being finalised.

Incorporating widespread consultation with officials from 15 Pacific States and key regional stakeholders, including the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), and the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO),  key documents will be presented to Aviation Ministers for consideration at RAMM2.

“Officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu have contributed to the RAMM deliverables through a series of Pacific aviation officials’ meetings, workshops, and one-on-one consultations,” said Mr. Hosking.

Through this engagement process, Pacific States have conveyed appreciation to the New Zealand Government, World Bank, and the PRIF for their financial support to progress the RAMM strategic actions.

Pacific aviation officials are progressing regional strategic actions ahead of the second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) in June 2022. Credit: paso.aero

Pacific aviation officials are progressing regional strategic actions ahead of the second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) in June 2022. Credit: paso.aero

Amending the Pacific Island Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty

Aviation officials have unanimously agreed to present proposed amendments to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) at RAMM2 for Ministerial consideration.

This follows an extensive regional PICASST consultation process with Pacific States led by PASO in recent months.

It is anticipated that the revised PICASST will be tabled for consideration at the next Pacific Island Forums Leaders meeting.

Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy

The direction of the new 10-year Regional Aviation Strategy, which will support the development of aviation in the Pacific, has received widespread regional support from senior aviation officials and a progress report will be presented for Ministerial consideration at RAMM2.

As the RAMM Secretariat, PASO has engaged IOS Partners to develop the strategy in consultation with Pacific Island States, airlines, airport authorities, and the tourism sector.

The development of the Pacific’s Regional Aviation Strategy will also be informed by wider aviation processes, including the 41st International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly in late September, and it is anticipated that the strategy will be completed by the end of 2022.

“Aviation safety and security compliance and oversight is of strategic importance to the region because of its implications for sustainable economic development and the connectivity of the Blue Pacific,” said Mr. Hosking.

“To support a collaborative and uniform approach to improving aviation in the Pacific, the Regional Aviation Strategy is examining the regional legislative framework, the audit and inspection programme, strategic training and human resource development, regional governance engagement and coordination, and sustainable economic development.”

Through the regional consultation process, the importance of environmental protection and the inclusion of the impacts of climate change emerged as another key area to be addressed in the strategy.

“Climate change is a global concern and if we are to progress aviation in our region, we must recognise it cannot be at the expense of our environment,” said Mr. Hosking.

Towards a sustainable funding model for regional aviation support

Aviation officials have considered options for a sustainable funding model for the enhanced regional aviation organisation to support Pacific countries with regional civil aviation safety and security oversight and will provide an update at RAMM2.

“The Pacific requires a new approach to funding an enhanced regional aviation organisation that is scalable, flexible, sustainable and provides value for money at a time when we are also grappling with the economic impact of COVID-19,” said Mr. Hosking.

“Currently due to COVID-19, regional aviation oversight administrative and operational costs have been reliant on donor funding, for which we are very grateful. We need to recognise that aviation safety is an investment rather than a cost because it enables Blue Pacific connectivity.”

Aviation recovery from impacts of COVID-19 in the Pacific

A strategic analysis on the COVID-19 impact assessment for aviation in the Pacific was funded by PRIF and will be presented at RAMM2 to seek further support for long term collaboration and explore regional approaches for sustainable aviation recovery post COVID-19.

The PRIF’s 2022 study by Landrum and Brown considers commercial opportunities and the ongoing viability of Pacific regional aviation, including airline collaboration, optimal airline fleet requirements, infrastructure needs, and the investment required to facilitate aviation recovery in the region.

RAMM2 Meeting Arrangements

The RAMM Secretariat is now finalising meeting arrangements and working with the Government of the Cook Islands to send out Ministerial invitations for the virtual meeting on 22 June 2022.

ENDS / 946 words
https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/Kirakira-Airport-Solomon-Islands-2.png 800 1200 Lisa Macalister /wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.png Lisa Macalister2022-06-01 09:00:172022-06-01 11:50:13Second Pacific Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting confirmed for 22 June 2022 (Cook Islands Time)

Other News

  • PASO Annual Report 2023 – Now Available!April 4, 2025 - 1:51 pm

    The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) has released its Annual Report for 2023, following endorsement by the PASO Council of Directors. The PASO Annual Report 2023 provides a comprehensive account of the regional aviation organisation’s annual operations and financial performance for PASO’s Member States, the Pacific aviation community, and development partners, while also outlining PASO’s […]

  • PASO & DFAT at the signing
    PASO RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING FROM AUSTRALIA TO CONTINUE AVIATION SUPPORT FOR PACIFIC ✈️🌏March 28, 2025 - 10:17 am

    📍 PORT VILA, 26 MARCH 2025 – The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) is proud to announce the signing of a significant Grant Funding Arrangement (GFA) with the Australian Government, represented by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Formalized during the 3rd Regional Aviation Ministers’ Meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in […]

  • RAMM3 Press ReleaseMarch 27, 2025 - 8:50 am

    PRESS RELEASE1: PACIFIC APPLAUDED FOR VISIONARY ACTIONS IN THE AVIATION FIELD AT THIRD REGIONAL AVIATION MINISTERS MEETING (RAMM3) SUVA, 20 MARCH 2025 – The Pacific region was recognised for its visionary strategies and actions by the International Civil Aviation Organisation Regional Director of Asia and Pacific, Mr Tao Ma at the Third Regional Aviation Ministers […]

  • PASO NewsletterMarch 14, 2025 - 9:56 am

      🚀 PASO March 2025 Updates – Strengthening Pacific Aviation! ✈️ Greetings from PASO Headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu! As we step into March 2025, here are the latest updates from our aviation community: ✅ Donor Support: Australia’s DFAT is finalizing a new grant agreement, set to take effect by the end of March 2025. […]

  • 🎉 CELEBRATING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT 🎉March 7, 2024 - 3:00 pm

    The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) is dedicated to promoting gender equity within the organization. Their commitment extends to aligning with regional and international frameworks to enable PASO to assist Member States, foster a positive and supportive work environment, and offer recommendations for gender programming in the aviation sector. PASO acknowledges and celebrates the dedication […]

Older News

  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • March 2024
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • May 2018
  • March 2018

Search News

Subscribe

to news and media releases

Subscribe

PASO

An international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security services for Pacific Member States.

Generously hosted by the Republic of Vanuatu.

Tel: +678 28500
Email: info@paso.aero

PO Box 139
Nambatu
Port Vila
Vanuatu

Quick links

  • Subscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies

PASO

An international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security services for Pacific Member States.

Generously hosted by the Republic of Vanuatu.

Tel: +678 28500
Email: info@paso.aero

PO Box 139
Nambatu
Port Vila
Vanuatu

Priorities

  • Training and Capacity Development
  • Civil Aviation Authority Strengthening

Quick Links

  • Subscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies

© Copyright - Pacific Aviation Safety Office
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

AcceptDenyLearn More

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

AcceptDeny