PORT VILA, Vanuatu: A partnership between the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is delivering practical capacity building for Pacific aviation agencies on international carbon offsets and reduction initiatives to address climate change.

The PASO and EASA information webinars are tackling aviation sector linkages to environmental protection and climate change and addressing the main features of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) State Action Plan for the reduction of international emissions from international aviation and the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme on International Aviation (CORSIA).

Civil aviation authority representatives from the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu participated in the PASO and EASA information webinars which started on Thursday, 30 September.

Mr. Luc Tytgat, EASA’s Strategy and Safety Management Director opened the first webinar and emphasised the EASA’s full readiness to support Pacific States to achieve carbon neutral growth.

“EASA believes supporting Small Island Developing States, and in particular Pacific Island countries, with climate change expertise is a step forward to a greener and more sustainable aviation sector in keeping with the international long-term aspirational goal of carbon neutral growth,” said Mr. Tytgat.

Mr. Andrew Valentine, PASO’s General Manager said that the partnership between PASO and EASA provides useful technical and targeted capacity building to support PASO’s Members as they start to offset and reduce their CO2 emissions from international aviation.

“We welcome our practical partnership with EASA to deliver expert awareness and thank EASA for funding this webinar program. This initiative will lead to an enhanced understanding by our membership of ICAO’s environmental protection requirements and enable us to consider how the Pacific region best contributes to the global efforts of reducing carbon emission in aviation,” said Mr. Valentine.

Adopted in August 2016, CORSIA is a global aviation offsetting scheme, whereby States, airlines and other aircraft operators offset growth in CO2 emissions above the baseline. Seven PASO Members, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, are set to voluntarily participate in the CORSIA from 1 January 2022.

PASO’s and EASA’s cooperation started in 2020 with capacity building activities to scale up the CORSIA scheme awareness amongst PASO’s membership and develop State action plans for the reduction of CO2 emissions. PASO and EASA are continuing to develop future cooperative projects on a more formalised basis.

This week’s webinar provided an overview of the linkages between the region’s environmental initiatives and the aviation sector. This included the Pacific’s long-term “Strategy 2030”, which provides a blueprint for Pacific Island country actions to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Domestic and international climate change activities to reduce CO2 international aviation emissions to achieve ICAO’s long-term aspirational goal through different tools and measures were also explored.

The second regional webinar on 5 October 2021 will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of ICAO’s CORSIA to enable effective offsetting schemes for participating Pacific countries.

The two webinar events start a program of tailored PASO and EASA facilitated one-on-one sessions with the civil aviation authorities of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands to understand the features of ICAO’s State Action Plan for the reduction of CO2 emissions from international aviation and CORSIA requirements.

The Pacific is considered one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.

Through the Pacific Islands Forum initiatives, all Forum Member States are participating and contributing to addressing the negative effects of climate change. The Pacific’s environmental integrity is a key focus of the “2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent” to protect and secure the Pacific people, place, and prospects.

Although civil aviation contributes to less than 2% of the world carbon footprint, the ICAO is further encouraging and soliciting support of all its 193 Member States to participate and further reduce aviation carbon emissions.

Ongoing efforts include using technology to reduce aircraft engine noise and carbon emissions. The development of alternative or “clean” fuels with the aim to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels for aircraft completely in the future is also continuing.

Port Moresby and virtually: Ministers responsible for civil aviation and senior aviation officials from 14 Pacific Islands States convened virtually this week to endorse the Port Moresby Declaration formalising their shared commitments to progressing important Pacific regional aviation matters through a new enhanced collaboration framework.

The Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM), hosted by the Papua New Guinea government on Wednesday, 30 June, resulted in Pacific Forum Member States endorsed the Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security.

The Port Moresby Declaration provides a range of strategic priorities and actions to respond to the critical challenges regarding aviation safety and security performance facing Forum Members, who have been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The region faces challenges building and maintaining a safe, secure, resilient reliable, efficient, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable civil aviation system. These include compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Standards and the Convention on International Civil Aviation, increasing Pacific aviation connectivity and internationally, sustainable funding mechanisms, and having regard to the serious impact of COVID-19 on aviation and the Pacific’s social and economic recovery.

The Ministerial Meeting was the first such high-level regional aviation meeting since the initiation of the Pacific Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) in 2004.

Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu attended the RAMM.

Forum Member Countries welcomed the participation of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Secretary General, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Secretary General, and senior officials from CROP agencies including the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP), and South Pacific Community (SPC). The meeting was also attended by government officials form the United States of america and Singapore, as well as officials from the World Bank, and the Airlines of the South Pacific Association.

RAMM Chair and Papua New Guinea Minister for Civil Aviation, the Honourable Sekie Agisa said:
“The Port Moresby Declaration is a considerable achievement which formally builds on previous commitments and gives renewed focus to implementing a holistic and collaborative regional approach to achieving sustainable aviation safety and security.”

“Although faced with many challenges, the message is clear, through collaboration and commitments, our region can achieve strengthened aviation safety and security compliance,” he said.

The Declaration demonstrates Pacific governments commitments to creating a way forward for strengthened aviation safety and security. Safe and secure aviation is recognised as an essential requirement to enabling connectivity and sustainable development in the Pacific.

Secretary General of the PIFS, Mr. Henry Puna said:
“We need to shift our thinking and our approach from ‘business as usual’ and start to explore new and innovative approaches to create a more safe, secure and sustainable aviation sector for our region; and one which promotes the spirit of the Blue Pacific while respecting national jurisdictions and development aspirations.”

“The prioritization of aviation in Pacific States is critical to assure the local levels of ICAO compliance which will ultimately restore this region’s significant aviation’s benefits,” commented ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu, “and it’s my hope that the Port Moresby Declaration will suitably emphasize the importance of air transport to national and regional recoveries to Pacific States.”

Another significant milestone was achieved with the endorsement of the Framework for Aviation in the Pacific which will enhance regional collaboration through the development of a 10-year Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy.

The Strategy will create a pathway to the long term safe and sustainable development of the aviation system to deliver the vision for a harmonised, collaborative and connected Pacific aviation system that supports safe, secure, and sustainable aviation in all Pacific States.

The Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy will focus on COVID-19 recovery and long-term sustainable development of the Pacific aviation system including strengthening Member States’ regulatory oversight capability, capacity, and effectiveness.

It was also agreed that the PICASST will be amended to better address the current needs of the region to enable a wider scope of collaborative activities, and leverage opportunities including a stronger Pacific voice in the international aviation system.

Ministers also agreed to strengthening the multi-functional regional aviation organisation to address aviation issues and opportunities as a key regional priority.

In that regard, Ministers recognised the improved performance of the regional aviation organisation, the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO). They agreed to strengthen PASO with appropriate and sustainable resourcing to ensure it continues to deliver enhanced aviation safety and security services to all Member States as an important part of the response to the ICAO Pacific Small Island Developing States Study.

Ministers agreed to the Cooks Islands hosting the next RAMM in 2022, before the next ICAO Assembly, to monitor progress and consider the amended PICASST, Regional Pacific Aviation Strategy, and sustainable funding arrangements to support enhanced regional collaboration and a strengthened multi-functional regional aviation organisation.

-ENDS- 785 words

Resources for Editors

Background Information

Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security
Regional Aviation Ministerial Statement
RAMM Outcomes Statement
Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Mr. Henry Puna Official Remarks
ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu Official Remarks
RAMM Factsheet
Pacific Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST)
Blue Pacific Vision and 2050 Strategy
Boe Declaration for Regional Security
Beijing Declaration
ICAO and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
ICAO’s No Country Left Behind Initiative
ICAO Pacific Small States Island Developing States Study
Convention on International Civil Aviation

Official Images

• Graphic: RAMM Official Logo
• Media Image: Papua New Guinea Minister for Civil Aviation, the Honourable Sekie Agisa
• Media Image: Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Mr. Henry Puna
• Media Image: ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu
• Graphic: Map of Pacific Islands Forum States
• Graphic: Framework for Aviation in the Pacific diagram

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Media Contacts

For 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

For Papua New Guinea Civil Aviation Minister, the Hon. Sekie Agisa:
Ms. Alganit Homerang, Media Liaison, PNG RAMM Taskforce Committee
Alangit.homerang@ict.gov.pg +675 7813 9240 (WhatsApp) or 7689 1097 (mobile)

For Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat:
Ms. Caroline Bergman Hart, Strategic Communications Advisor
media@forumsec.org +61 414 072 566

For International Civil Aviation Organisation:
Mr. Anthony Philbin, Chief Communications
Communications@icao.int +1 438 402 8886 (mobile)

PORT VILA: The Vanuatu aviation industry sector, Vanuatu government agencies and the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) discussed how to enhance collaboration and strategic aviation outcomes in a half-day workshop on Friday, 7 May in Port Vila.

The aviation workshop was convened by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu (CAAV) and PASO to build common-ground and forge a new strategic pathway for Vanuatu’s aviation safety and security services with PASO’s support.

The jointly hosted workshop was attended by 40 key representatives from local aviation operators, Airports Vanuatu Ltd., the Vanuatu Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Finance, the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions, and CAAV and PASO.

Participants discussed the challenges facing the Vanuatu aviation industry, identified priority areas for development to strengthen industry, and looked at how PASO could provide more strategic support to the sector.

The Director of CAAV, Ms. Jackie Langati Trief said:

“Vanuatu’s aviation industry is the third largest in the Pacific (excluding Australia and New Zealand) in terms of aviation activities traffic size and complexity after PNG and Fiji. As a result, we are one of PASO’s biggest customers and partners concerning compliance to international aviation regulatory standards.”

“This joint workshop was a positive occasion for all stakeholders to understand the responsibilities, roles and capacity of PASO. We had frank discussion on how we can enhance our joint operations to benefit the Vanuatu aviation industry, its end users and, ultimately, Vanuatu’s economy.

“Improving safe and secure domestic and regional aviation connectivity is critical for creating economic growth opportunities for Vanuatu amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and an imperative for recovery post-pandemic, including for freight, tourism, medical and emergency purposes,” said Ms. Trief.

The PASO General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine said:

“The outcomes of this workshop will guide what the future will look like for aviation in Vanuatu and potentially the region. We see this as the first of many workshops that bring together all key stakeholders to collaborate and problem-solve.”

“PASO has been generously hosted by the Government of Vanuatu for fifteen years on behalf of PASO Member countries. On the back of steady improvements in recent years, this workshop was an opportunity to redefine and identify more areas where PASO could provide increased value to Vanuatu to support a stronger aviation industry,” said Mr. Valentine.

PASO is responsible for providing regional regulatory aviation safety oversight services to Pacific Member States. In Vanuatu, CAAV accesses PASO’s assistance to meet Vanuatu’s responsibilities and obligations to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).  ​

As a PASO Member State, Vanuatu is active on the PASO Council including as the Deputy Chair for the Council and Chair of the technical sub-committee for the last eight years.​

“Living in Vanuatu means that aviation is one of the keyways in which we connect to the outside world. Yet aviation is a complex industry to regulate, and, like many other small island developing nations, there is not an endless amount of money and accessing qualified expertise is very difficult and often comes with great challenges. As such Vanuatu’s reliance on aviation with PASO’s support cannot be understated,” said Mr. Valentine.

The PASO Office was established in Port Vila in 2007 under a Hosting Agreement. Under that Agreement, the Vanuatu Government provides office facilities and annual operating budget including funding for six Ni-Vanuatu staff to coordinate PASO’s regional services and provide administrative support.

Senior Foreign Affairs Officer for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Blessing said:

“As the Host country for PASO, the sole Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agency with headquarters in Vanuatu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to working with PASO to strengthen Vanuatu’s aviation sector through quality dialogue.”

Funding from key donors, including the Australian and New Zealand Governments and the World Bank, supports a range of regional Pacific-wide programs including audits and inspections, regulatory assistance and harmonisation, civil aviation strengthening and capacity building for PASO Member States. Currently, operational assistance is being provided remotely via PASO’s Off-Site Certification Audits (OSCA).

The New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu, his Excellency Jonathan Schwass said:

“PASO was formed in acknowledgment of the challenges Pacific nations face addressing aviation compliance and has become a vital part of the Pacific aviation scene.

“New Zealand is a core PASO supporter, and we value PASO’s ability to source specialised experts to deliver aviation safety services. It is well-positioned to strengthen its services and advocate for regional aviation safety.”

The Australian High Commission in Vanuatu’s First Secretary, Mr. Greg Illingworth said:

“Australia recognises safety regulation as a key element of a safe and sustainable Pacific aviation sector, and PASO as an essential service provider to the sector.”

“Australia has provided an immediate AUD 2 million to support PASO and its Members. In practical terms, this support package also means that services for existing operators are at no cost for 2021 for PASO members, provided they have met their obligations to PASO.”

CAAV and PASO have committed to future workshops with Vanuatu’s aviation sector for continued collaboration and to strengthen strategic aviation outcomes.

PORT VILA: The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) was delighted to gift IT equipment to the Vanuatu Ministry of Education this week to support the Ministry’s education goals.

In a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Education on Thursday 18 February, a PASO delegation met with key Education officials to donate the IT equipment, which included computers, laptops, and printers.

The donated IT equipment will be used by the Ministry of Education to support Vanuatu’s teachers and administrators most in need, including at schools in Provinces affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold.

The ceremony also paved the way for more discussions on partnership opportunities to create education pathways for Vanuatu citizens in the aviation sector, with the potential inclusion of PASO in the Ministry’s education cluster.

“The PASO Council made a deliberate decision at their July Council Meeting to donate retired  IT equipment to Vanuatu schools as a meaningful way to support education in Vanuatu,” said the PASO General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.

“This is part of PASO’s commitment to the ‘learning circle’ and is in recognition that regionally we need more qualified Pacific Islander aviation specialists, including aviation inspectors, engineers, pilots, and air traffic controllers. Education pathways, together with international aviation work experience, are needed to achieve this regional capacity issue.”

The Director of Education Services Mr. Samueal Katipa said: “A bigfala thank you to PASO for this practical donation. The Ministry of Education has many challenges, including Tropical Cyclone Harold and COVID19, and very much appreciates PASO’s support.”

“Nowadays we evolve with education with technology, putting away old traditions. These donations will help in assisting office, schools, administrators to ensure learning takes place in our schools.”

“The Ministry of Education has agreements with NGOs throughout Vanuatu,  because we look after this country’s brains and future minds. Today is the first time we are having this get together with PASO, it is a big honor and privilege to have you all here,” concluded Director Katipa.