The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) has released its Annual Report for 2021 following endorsement by the PASO Council of Directors at a Special Council Meeting on Wednesday, 24 August 2022.
The PASO Annual Report 2021 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, and identifies PASO’s plans to meet expected challenges in 2022.
PASO’s programmes, activities, and achievements over 2021 are discussed and explained using high level visual snapshots together with detailed reporting. Highlights include an overview of regulatory support delivered to PASO’s Members States, achievements from the first Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting, the status of development partner funded initiatives, and COVID-19 response planning.
A snapshot of PASO’s service delivery emphasises an operational record with 681 regulatory “work days” delivered to PASO Members States despite the impact of COVID-19.
The vital importance of aviation connectivity for the Pacific’s economic development and social wellbeing is explored in an annual report case study focusing on the Cook Islands’ experience with achieving aviation compliance with the support of PASO in time for their international border re-opening.
Detailed financial reporting, including financial statements and analysis for the PASO financial year (2021 calendar year) are included to meet PASO’s statutory obligation per the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST), PASO Constitution, and governance procedures.
An overview of annual performance against PASO’s 2018-2022 Strategic Plan and 2021 Business Plan is also provided in the 2021 Annual Report. The reporting in this section differs from previous years, and now presents an overall assessment of the process toward or achievement of PASO’s strategic priorities and summarises how PASO tracked against annual business planning.
“Our latest Annual Report demonstrates our commitment to financial transparency, accountability and good corporate governance and also highlights the tremendous achievements for our organisation in 2021,” said PASO’s General Manager Mr. Andrew Valentine.
“PASO continued to focus on our business continuity and strengthening in preparation for the progressive recovery of the Pacific’s aviation industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“We are immensely proud of all our achievements in 2021. Operationally we achieved our highest regulatory record in living memory and this shows the value of PASO’s work for Members as an enabler for economic recovery through COVID-19, and the value of aviation for social well-being, tourism, employment, and education in the Pacific.”
“We especially emphasise our multilateral role supporting Pacific States as the Secretariat for the inaugural meeting of Regional Aviation Ministers (RAMM1) in 2021. This landmark moment for Pacific Aviation resulted in the ‘Port Moresby Declaration’ with Pacific States committing to a regional aviation strategy to take regional civil aviation forward,” concluded Mr Valentine.
https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Report-web.jpg528845Wade Taylor/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.pngWade Taylor2022-08-31 06:00:502022-08-31 09:14:16PASO Annual Report 2021 is now available
Pacific Aviation Ministers have committed to revising the Pacific’s civil aviation treaty and completing a 10-year regional aviation strategy to strengthen aviation safety and security and improve air connectivity post-pandemic.
The second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) was hosted virtually on Wednesday 22 June by the Government of the Cook Islands with Ministerial representation from 17 Pacific States.
The Pacific States of Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, and Vanuatu attended the RAMM2.
Ministers discussed how to collectively transform regional aviation post-pandemic to ensure the Pacific region has a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation system for the benefit of the people of the Pacific.
Opening Remarks
RAMM2 Chair, the Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau said in his opening remarks:
“RAMM2 was an important opportunity for our region to come together and positively discuss our concerns over the challenges the aviation sector faces, especially where it impacts our air connectivity. Together, we expressed our commitment and attention to priorities to achieve transformative change for aviation in our region.”
“I’m pleased that we can maintain our momentum to improve aviation for all of us in our Blue Pacific region, particularly noting aviation’s important role in enabling livelihoods and connecting all our Pacific people together.”
“This Ministerial platform builds on the commitment to support the Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security that we endorsed at our last meeting, and ensures we have regional agreement and commitment to improve connectivity in our region,” said the Honourable Robert Tapaitau.
In his opening remarks to RAMM2, Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Dr. Filimon Manoni emphasised the relevance of air transport as a key to regional economic prosperity:
“Aviation has been highlighted as a key priority area in the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy, not only as an enabler of intra-regional transport, but also as a driver of our long-term economic development, whether that be through the shipment of goods, the movement of people, or the transport of tourists across our region. … as we move forward, I propose that as the PIFS and as a CROP agency, that we work with Ministers to ensure that there are clear linkages between the 2050 Strategy and its aviation-related areas, and the critical work that Ministers are driving, particularly through the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy.”
Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar said in a pre-recorded video to the RAMM2:
“It has been reassuring to ICAO that many Pacific Region countries are now gradually emerging from the pandemic and adapting their aviation systems to the demands of the recovery and new normal. ICAO applauds your dedicated efforts, both individually and through close regional cooperation, to modernize operations and upgrade critical infrastructure. These actions will improve network flexibility and increase resilience, and particularly in times of crisis and their aftermath.”
RAMM2 Chair the Hon. Robert Tapaitau, Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport; Dr. Filimon Manoni, Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat; and Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization
PICASST amendments will now be progressed via the next Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting for States to consider, ahead of any necessary State treaty actions. The Cook Islands, on behalf of the region’s Aviation Ministers, will present the PICASST amendments at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.
The PICASST was originally enacted in 2005 and currently has 10 Pacific State signatories. The proposed amendments are designed to encourage wider participation beyond the current signatories to enhance regional aviation collaboration and coordination.
10-year Regional Aviation Strategy on track
Aviation Ministers also endorsed the draft 10-year Regional Aviation Strategy on an ‘in principle’ basis noting its alignment with the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy.
The Regional Aviation Strategy is a first for the Pacific region and will guide the long-term delivery of safe and sustainable aviation for the Pacific region.
An expanded draft Regional Aviation Strategy and implementation plan will be presented to Aviation Ministers by the end of 2022, following strategic engagement by the RAMM Secretariat with aviation industry stakeholders, including airlines, airports, and the tourism sector.
“As we start to see a way out of this pandemic our focus must be on ensuring we have a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation environment – that our Blue Pacific region will be ready to re-open to the rest of the world,” said RAMM2 Chair, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau. Scene from Rarotonga International Airport. Credit: Shutterstock
Post-pandemic aviation recovery
Pacific Ministers noted an update on the impacts of COVID-19 on aviation in the Pacific and agreed to support long-term collaboration and explore regional approaches for sustainable aviation recovery post-pandemic.
The COVID-19 aviation impact assessment by the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) identifies aviation recovery scenarios and priority areas of support for States moving towards border reopening.
Pacific State’s aviation officials were tasked by Ministers to work with aviation industry stakeholders to discuss key commercial aviation sector challenges and identify implementation options, and report to Aviation Ministers at RAMM3.
“We have all felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even without the pandemic the need to improve our aviation systems remained. As we start to see a way out of this pandemic our focus must be on ensuring we have a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation environment – that our Blue Pacific region will be ready to re-open to the rest of the world,” said RAMM2 Chair, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau.
Ministers welcomed the participation of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) Acting Secretary General, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Secretary General, and senior officials from CROP agencies including the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), and the University of the South Pacific (USP) at the RAMM2.
RAMM2 Ministers also welcomed the attendance by government officials from the United States of America and Singapore, as well as officials from Airlines of the South Pacific Association (ASPA) Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), and the World Bank.
Pacific Ministers discussed at RAMM2 how to collectively transform regional aviation post-pandemic to ensure the Pacific region has a safe, secure, and sustainable aviation system for the benefit of the people of the Pacific. Scene from Rarotonga International Airport. Credit: Shutterstock
Next steps
Aviation Ministers acknowledged the collective efforts of the region’s aviation officials over the last 12-months to progress strategic actions through regional unity and respected dialogue.
“It is exciting to witness the strengthened regional collaboration that has continued since RAMM1 last year and I am pleased with the progress made for the mutual benefit of our people,” said RAMM2 Chair, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau.
RAMM2 follows last year’s RAMM1 which was hosted by Papua New Guinea and was the first high level regional aviation meeting to convene in seventeen years following direction from Pacific Leaders in 2019.
Aviation Ministers are looking forward to meeting face-to-face for the next RAMM in late 2023. It is expected confirmation of the RAMM3 host government will be announced soon.
The Pacific Aviation Safety Office, as the RAMM Secretariat, will continue to progress regional actions in collaboration with the region’s aviation officials in the lead up to RAMM3.
ENDS/ 1194 words
Media Resources
The official RAMM2 Ministerial Statement and Meetings Outcomes documents are being finalised now and will be added to the RAMM2 Media Kit when available.
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.
https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-06-22-at-8.52.58-PM.png516917Wade Taylor/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.pngWade Taylor2022-06-22 21:07:332022-06-22 21:31:25Why is the 2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting an important milestone?
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
Niue
12:00pm – 12:25pm
Cook Island and French Polynesia
1:00pm – 1:25pm
Thursday 23rdJune
Palau
8.00am – 8:25am
Papua New Guinea
9:00am – 9:25pm
Australia, FSM, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
10:00am – 10:25pm
Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, RMI and Tuvalu, New Zealand
11:00am – 11:25pm
Samoa and Tonga
12:00pm – 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.aerofor 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
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
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
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
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Providing in-country safety and security services to support Pacific Member States’ aviation compliance as regional travel restarts is the strategic focus of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) for 2022.
The PASO Council of Directors also recognised the importance of continued regional collaboration and coordination via PASO at their virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, 11 May 2022.
Demonstrating collective support for PASO and regional aviation collaboration, all 13 Members of the PASO Council attended the AGM with representation from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The AGM also considered PASO’s performance and endorsed PASO’s annual financial audit and annual report, new corporate processes and policies, and organisational progress against key performance indicators.
PASO Council elections
The PASO Council unanimously chose to maintain existing Council office bearers with Member State Samoa re-elected to Chair the PASO Council. Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali, is the main representative for Samoa on the PASO Council of Directors.
Niue was re-elected as Deputy Chair of the PASO Council and Chair of the Operations Sub Committee with Mr. Bill MacGregor, Director of Niue Civil Aviation remaining in this role.
The Cook Islands was re-elected as the Deputy Chair of the PASO Council and Chair of the Corporate Sub Committee with Mr. John Hosking, Secretary of Transport for the Cook Islands Ministry of Transport continuing.
“It is gratifying to see strong engagement and participation from all our membership at our Annual General Meeting, which indicates a strong interest in working together to elevate aviation matters regionally and internationally,” said the PASO Council Chair, Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali.
“Prudent fiscal management and the continued financial support from our Members, the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, and the World Bank, means PASO has increased technical capacity and resourcing to support our Members with their international aviation obligations.”
The PASO Council endorsed the 2023 PASO Hosting Agreement for formal submission to the Government of Vanuatu, with appreciation conveyed for the continued hosting of PASO’s headquarters in Port Vila.
PASO Member State Samoa was re-elected to Chair the PASO Council. Mr. Magele Hoe J. Viali is the main representative for Samoa on the PASO Council of Directors.Credit: PASO.aero
PASO’s operational performance
The PASO Council noted an operational record for PASO’s service delivery with a total of 683 audit workdays completed in 2021 on behalf of Member States, compared to 239 audit workdays in 2020 and 519 audit workdays in 2019.
“As we re-open our borders around the Pacific, the critical importance of aviation safety and security compliance as a positive enabler of air connectivity and a catalyst for our economic recovery cannot be overstated,” said Mr. Viali.
The PASO Council noted the organisations’ plans to progress operational systems and deliver an increased program of in-country auditing and inspections between PASO Inspectors and Member States’ civil aviation counterparts.
“We are excited to return to in-country operations and planning to get every one of our Inspectors into Member States over the next 12 months,” said PASO’s General Manager, Mr. Andrew Valentine.
“Through the pandemic, PASO has been able to ensure effective regulatory aviation safety and security outcomes for our Members. This has been primarily delivered through our offsite safety policy and procedures approach which has served the region well.”
Future directions
The PASO Council supported increased training and development activities starting with an online governance training program for the PASO Council and pursuing opportunities to increase Pacific Islanders’ aviation inspector capacity.
“Training and development is a key pillar of the Pacific framework of aviation endorsed at last year’s Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM1) and something dear to our heart,” said Mr. Viali.
“The PASO Council supports advancing and investing in holistic capacity building for the long-term development of our people by building career pathways in all areas of aviation.”
The Council noted PASO’s effective regional engagement as secretariat for the next Regional Aviation Minister Meeting (RAMM2) which is being virtually hosted by the Government of the Cook Islands in June to progress the Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security.
In 2022 PASO will also participate in regional and international forums to elevate and progress Pacific aviation matters including at the next Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s 57th Conference of Directors General of Civil Aviation for the Asia Pacific Regions in Korea in early July.
“In the next 12 to 18 months PASO plans to embed all the positive organisational initiatives of the last two years, and progress new opportunities to strengthen aviation in our region,” concluded Mr. Valentine.
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https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/2022-PASO-AGM-V2-1200-×-800-px.png8001200Wade Taylor/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.pngWade Taylor2022-05-20 16:05:422022-05-20 16:01:21Positive outlook forecast for Pacific aviation safety and security
Senior aviation officials from 11 Pacific countries convened on Thursday, 17 March 2022 for a virtual regional workshop organised by the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) to consider proposed revisions to the PICASST and present their national positions.
The PICASST Regional Workshop was attended virtually by senior aviation, foreign affairs and legal officials from Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The workshop considered a raft of proposed changes to the PICASST, including empowering an enhanced regional aviation body, harmonisation of legislation and systems, collaborative training and capability building, coordinated international advocacy for the Pacific and sustainable funding arrangements.
Enacted in 2005, the PICASST is the overarching legal framework for Pacific aviation collaboration. The PICASST provides for the creation of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) as the sole international organisation providing quality aviation safety and security services for the 10 Pacific Member States who are PICASST signatories.
A key outcome of the first Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM1) in June 2021 was agreement to revise the PICASST to ensure it is fit for purpose due to its current limitations. At RAMM1, Regional aviation officials were tasked by the Aviation Ministers to work with PASO to improve the PICASST before the next RAMM.
“The PICASST was originally developed to provide direction and guidance for PASO service delivery to Member States through regional collaboration to comply with International best practices and standards,” said the PICASST Workshop Chair, Mr. John Hosking who is the Secretary for Transport in the Cook Islands.
“At RAMM1, our region’s Aviation Ministers agreed that the PICASST needed to be improved. They noted there’s been significant changes over the last fifteen years which have impacted aviation in the Pacific but are not reflected in the PICASST.”
“The PICASST is currently focused on safety and security regulatory oversight. Now we need to widen the scope of the Treaty to achieve a holistic coordinated, collaborative, and cost-effective approach to sustainable development in the Pacific aviation industry,” said Mr. Hosking.
The current PICASST signatories are the Pacific nations of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Associate Members of PASO are Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Government representatives from these nations make up the PASO Council.
Since the PICASST was first initiated, Pacific States now have a wide range of additional functions they must undertake to properly sustain robust aviation systems. These include support for sustainable economic development, including COVID-19 recovery, air connectivity, modernisation of Pacific aviation infrastructure, encouragement of new technology, commercial regulation, and service provision. States also need to oversee environmental management, facilitate border activities, and deliver search and rescue services and accident investigation.
As the RAMM Secretariat, PASO is now working on developing meeting papers ahead of the next Aviation Officials Meeting on Wednesday, 13 April 2022.
A final preparatory meeting in May 2022 is planned before the RAMM2 which is being hosted by the Government of the Cook Islands in June.
ENDS/ 551 words
https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/regional-picasst-workshop-1200-×-800-px.png8001200Wade Taylor/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.pngWade Taylor2022-04-01 09:31:362022-04-01 09:31:36Amending the Pacific’s aviation treaty to strengthen regional aviation
The two Pacific organisations signed a joint communique virtually on Thursday, 27 January 2022 to formally strengthen their regional collaboration and coordination including addressing the serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry and economies of most Pacific Island States.
In the lead up to the next Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) in June 2022, PASO and PRIF committed to working together to support and advance the ‘Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security’ for the advancement and improvement of the aviation sector for Pacific Island States.
PASO and PRIF also formally recognised the RAMM endorsed ‘Framework for Aviation in the Pacific’ which articulates how the Pacific region and aviation stakeholders will collaborate to realise an enhanced aviation system to benefit the Pacific.
The joint communique articulates each organisations responsibilities, including recognition of PASO’s role as the RAMM Secretariat, as well as regional aviation regulatory oversight, and PRIF’s role providing technical assistance support for aviation development.
“The Joint communique is an expression of our commitment to work together so that the RAMM deliverables are implemented. Our new partnership will address all aviation sectors, such as commercial, regulatory and operations for the progress of aviation in the region,’ said Mr Andrew Valentine, PASO’s General Manager.
“Our communique is a first for PASO and PRIF, and I am glad that we have ventured down this path to execute the Regional Ministers’ goals for regional aviation,” said Mr Valentine.
“We welcome the opportunity to assist PASO implement the RAMM deliverables. Our partnership provides an opportunity for PRIF to contribute to Pacific regional aviation recovery, which is a priority of our development partners,” said Mr Sean O’Sullivan, PRIF Coordination Office Team Leader.
A key focus of the new collaboration is producing a COVID-19 impact and recovery assessment for aviation in the Pacific. At the 2021 Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting, Ministers expressed concerns over the impacts of COVID-19 and tasked officials to conduct the impact assessment. PRIF is funding this assessment and is now working in collaboration with Landrum and Brown with the support of PASO.
The COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Assessment for Aviation in the Pacific will be presented to Aviation Officials consideration at their next meeting in April.
https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/joint-communique-02.jpg7501200Wade Taylor/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.pngWade Taylor2022-02-25 09:48:022025-06-04 15:05:03PASO and PRIF commit to regional aviation development partnership
Pacific Aviation Safety Office Council of Directors welcomes ICAO Secretary General and ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Director
PORT VILA: Stronger dialogue and closer working relationships between the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to support Pacific aviation safety and security was emphasised at the PASO Council of Directors’ recent meeting.
The PASO Council Meeting on Wednesday, 24 November 2021 was attended virtually by representatives from nine signatories of the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) and three Associate Members, together with ICAO and the World Bank.
PASO Council representation included: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
In a landmark for PASO, the ICAO Secretary General, Mr Juan Carlos Salazar, and the ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Director, Mr Tao Ma, addressed the PASO Council virtually.
The ICAO Secretary General acknowledged the unique challenges and circumstances facing PASO Member States compliance with ICAO’s aviation safety, security and sustainability requirements and highlighted ICAO’s key initiatives to support them and PASO.
The ICAO Secretary General, Mr Salazar said:
“ICAO is very much aware of what the pandemic’s disruption to air connectivity has meant for Pacific States, and to your many citizens and communities who depend so strongly on air travel and tourism for their basic livelihoods.”
He pledged that “ICAO will assure more responsive and effective teamwork with States, industry, and international partnering organizations going forward, and will lead the global air transport community in reuniting people, societies, and economies again.”
The ICAO Secretary General expressed appreciation to the Government of Vanuatu for generously hosting and resourcing PASO’s Port Vila headquarters since inception in 2007, and acknowledged the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for directly supporting PASO financially to enable technical assistance for Pacific States.
PASO Council Chairperson, Mr Magele Hoe J. Viali welcomed and thanked the Secretary General for ICAO’s continued support and collaboration with PASO. Credit: PASO.aero
The PASO Council Chairperson, Mr Magele Hoe J. Viali welcomed and thanked the Secretary General for ICAO’s continued support and collaboration with the Pacific and recognised the significance of this dialogue as a way to strengthen relations and establish stronger bonds between ICAO and the Pacific.
The PASO Council Chairperson, Mr Viali said:
“The Pacific region strives to deliver the best outcomes for our people. The aviation sector is one area where the economic and social benefits and contributions are not as advanced and developed as we would like, yet all of us in the Pacific have an essential reliance on a strong aviation industry and connectivity to prosper.”
“We welcome the support of ICAO to explore opportunities to engage and collaborate, whilst understanding the challenges we face and supporting each other to ensure ‘no country is left behind’,” said Mr Viali.
“With the ‘Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security for the Pacific Islands’, we are entrusted by our Ministers to deliver on our international obligations and achieve aviation safety and security for the region in line with international best practice.”
ICAO’s Asia Pacific Regional Director, Mr Tao Ma said assisting Pacific States to enhance aviation safety, security and capacity building is a priority for ICAO’s Asia Pacific Office. Credit: ICAO
ICAO’s support for Pacific States
ICAO’s Asia Pacific Regional Director, Mr Tao Ma, reported to the PASO Council an overview of ICAO’s plans and practical actions to support closer cooperation and the provision of targeted assistance within the region including supporting the enhancement of PASO’s Regional Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (RSOO) status.
The ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Director, Mr Tao Ma said:
“Assisting Pacific States to enhance their aviation safety, security and capacity building is a priority for the ICAO Asia Pacific Office over the next year, as well as for years to come.”
Kanton Atoll Kiribati Credit: Salote Mataitini
PASO organisational performance recognised
The PASO Council recognised PASO’s ongoing strong organisational performance and effective service delivery to Members despite the operational challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Renewed PASO corporate structuring and operational arrangements, recognition of critical development partner support, and the ongoing preparations for the next Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) in June 2022 were considered and supported by the PASO Council.
PASO’s General Manager, Mr Andrew Valentine, encouraged all Members to keep supporting each other and PASO to collectively navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together and enable the effective restart of Pacific aviation.
“PASO will continue to maintain our organisational effectiveness to support our Members with quality aviation safety and security Member services into 2022, including the development of a new surveillance framework for Members States,” said Mr Valentine.
A six-month schedule of PASO Council Meetings was adopted with Council to meet next in May for their Annual General Meeting.
ENDS / 715 words
https://paso.aero/wp-content/uploads/ICAO-Secretary-General-Juan-Carlos-Salazar-LR-credit-ICAO.png9121600Wade Taylor/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paso_logo_white2.pngWade Taylor2021-12-03 08:54:282021-12-03 09:18:27Fostering International Aviation Collaboration in the Pacific
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