ICAO talks result in strengthened cooperation among Middle Eastern States on aviation issues
Outcomes of meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation will enhance the resilience and safety of air transport in the region
A new framework designed to strengthen coordination among aviation stakeholders in the Middle East has emerged from the Eighth Meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation of the Middle East Region (DGCA-MID/8). Known as the Middle East Regional Aviation Assistance Framework (MID-RAAF), this new mechanism aims to boost State-led action plans and streamline the pooling of resources to address shared aviation priorities across the region and was one of the key outcomes of the ICAO-led talks.
Taking place from 26 to 28 October 2026, the DGCA meeting was organized by ICAO and hosted in Doha by the Government of Qatar. They provided a key opportunity for ICAO to underscore the region’s need to maintain air transport operations amid disruptions. Effective contingency planning, timely information-sharing, and coordinated responses to airspace closures were emphasized as essential. The ICAO Middle East Contingency Coordination Team was also recognized by delegates as a central mechanism for supporting safe and orderly operations. (....)