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2nd Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting

Pacific Aviation Ministers convened virtually at the second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) on Wednesday 22 June 2022 (Rarotonga, Cook Islands time) to discuss how to collectively transform regional aviation.

Ministers committed to revising the Pacific Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) and completing a 10-year Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy (PRAS) to strengthen aviation safety and security, and improve air connectivity.

Ramm-logo
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. Credit: PASO

What is the RAMM2?

The RAMM2 was a ministerial dialogue for Pacific Island States to consider the wide-ranging aviation needs of the region to ensure there is a safe, sustainable and improved aviation system for the benefit of the people of the Pacific.

RAMM2 was an important opportunity for further dialogue where Pacific Island States expressed concerns over the challenges the aviation sector faces, especially where it impacts connectivity. The meeting further saw that commitment and attention was expressed towards achieving the aviation priorities and advance collective efforts to achieve transformative change.

The RAMM2 built on the success of the RAMM1 which brought greater recognition of the strategic benefits of increased air connectivity, recognising the Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security and the Framework for Aviation in the Pacific, as well as the considerable challenges facing aviation following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The RAMM2 focused on strengthening aviation safety and security compliance through enhancing current institutional arrangements and establishing a long-term regional aviation strategy. 

What was discussed at RAMM2?

Pacific Island States unanimously endorsed amendments to the Pacific Islands Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST) via individual State Treaty actions. The PICASST was originally enacted in 2005 and currently has 10 Pacific State signatories. The PICASST amendments are designed to modernise and ensure it is fit for purpose. The amendments will encourage wider participation beyond the current signatories to enhance regional aviation collaboration and coordination.

Aviation Ministers also endorsed a draft 10-year Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy (PRAS) on an ‘in principle’ basis noting its alignment with the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy. The PRAS is a first for the Pacific region and will guide the long-term delivery of safe and sustainable aviation for the Pacific region.

An update on the impacts of COVID-19 on aviation in the Pacific by the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF) was noted by Ministers. The COVID-19 aviation impact assessment identifies aviation recovery scenarios and priority areas of support for States moving towards border reopening. The Ministers agreed to support long-term collaboration and explore regional approaches for sustainable aviation recovery post-pandemic.

Download the RAMM2 Meeting Outcomes Statement

The Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy will guide the long-term delivery of safe, secure, and sustainable aviation for the Pacific region. Credit: paso.aero

Download the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy

Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister Hon Robert Tapaitau

Who hosted RAMM2:

The second Regional Aviation Ministers Meeting (RAMM2) was hosted virtually on Wednesday 22 June by the Government of the Cook Islands from 1pm to 4pm Rarotonga, Cook Islands time.

RAMM2 was chaired by the Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, the Hon. Robert Tapaitau. The Cooks Islands Ministry of Transport coordinated the RAMM2 arrangements on behalf of the Pacific region with support from the Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO).

Who attended RAMM2?

Ministers responsible for civil aviation and senior aviation officials from 17 Pacific Island States convened virtually for RAMM2. This included: 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.

The Pacific regional organisations observers attended from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), University of the South Pacific (USP), Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), and the Pacific Islands Development Programme (PIDP).

Observers from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Association of the South Pacific Airlines (ASPA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), IOS Partners, and the World Bank also attended.

Who made opening remarks?

The RAMM2 was officially opened by the RAMM2 Chair, the Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau. Read his opening remarks.

Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Dr. Filimon Manoni official remarks are here.

Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar pre-recorded video remarks are here.

When is the next RAMM?

Aviation Ministers are looking forward to meeting face-to-face for the next RAMM in the fourth quarter of  2023. The RAMM3 will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Nauru.

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.

More information

RAMM2 resources
Official RAMM2 Meetings Outcomes
RAMM2 Chair, the Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, the Honourable Robert Tapaitau’s Opening Remarks
Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Dr. Filimon Manoni’s Opening Remarks
Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar Opening Remarks
RAMM2 Media Release 1 July 2022
See also paso.aero/RAMM

Pacific Regional Aviation resources
Port Moresby Declaration on Aviation Safety and Security
Pacific Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST)
Blue Pacific Vision and 2050 Strategy

International Aviation resources
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

Digital Resources

PASO YouTube Channel
PASO media releases and PASO Media Centre
PASO LinkedIn

Last Updated on November 22, 2022

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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

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

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Quick Links