The National Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on International Civil Aviation 2016 yesterday. All 42 members present voted in favour. The convention previously known as the Chicago Convention established the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and regulates global air travel. The ratification is expected to safeguard Bhutan’s national interests, strengthen its role in international aviation governance, and reaffirm its commitment to global cooperation in the aviation sector.
Bhutan ratified the Chicago Convention in 1989 and joined ICAO as a member.
However, to become an ICAO Council member state, a country needs to ratify the amendments to the convention.
One of the amendments is related to Article 50(a), which governs the composition of the ICAO Council. The Council is the organisation’s governing body responsible for adopting international aviation standards and recommended practices. The amendment proposes increasing the number of Council members from 36 to 40.
Similarly, the amendment to Article 56 concerns the Air Navigation Commission. It is ICAO’s technical body responsible for developing international standards and recommended practices on air navigation, flight operations, and aviation safety. The amendment proposes increasing the Commission’s membership from 19 to 21 members.
According to the minister for infrastructure and transport, the amendments would improve Bhutan’s prospects of securing membership in both the ICAO Council and the Air Navigation Commission in the future.
Such representation would provide Bhutan with greater access to discussions and decision-making processes in international civil aviation while enhancing the country’s global presence.
The ratification also signals Bhutan’s commitment to international cooperation in aviation. Considering Bhutan’s unique aviation landscape and operational challenges, it presents an opportunity to ensure that international standards better reflect the realities faced by countries like Bhutan.
Moreover, ratifying the protocols will not entail any financial obligations for Bhutan.
However, the amendments will only enter into force once they receive ratification from 128 ICAO Contracting States. As of January this year, 120 States had ratified the protocols, meaning eight more ratifications are required before they can take effect.
With Bhutan now joining the growing list of countries supporting the amendments, the proposal will now be forwarded to the National Council.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Tshering Zam
