South Africa has secured re-election to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Governing Council during the 42nd ICAO General Assembly, held in Montréal from September 23 to October 3, 2025.
The vote, conducted on September 27, saw South Africa re-elected to Part II of the Council, a category reserved for member states with significant representation in global civil aviation forums.
The South African delegation, led by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, includes technical and legal experts from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, Airports Company South Africa, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, the Departments of Transport and Home Affairs, as well as representatives from the South African National Space Agency and the South African Weather Service.
Minister Creecy celebrated the re-election as a testament to South Africa’s enduring influence in global aviation since joining the ICAO Council in 2003. “This result reaffirms the confidence of member states in South Africa’s ongoing contribution to shaping the global aviation agenda,” she said. Creecy emphasized the country’s pivotal role in advancing ICAO’s priorities, including safety, security, sustainability, and environmental concerns, while ensuring Africa’s interests remain prominent.
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Creecy also praised the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the African Union’s specialized aviation agency, for its instrumental role in aligning Africa’s priorities with ICAO’s agenda. “AFCAC’s leadership has been crucial in placing Africa’s aviation goals at the forefront,” she noted.
South Africa was joined by Egypt and Nigeria, also elected to Part II of the ICAO Council, strengthening Africa’s voice in global aviation governance. Additional African candidates are expected to contest Part III elections later in the assembly, which focus on equitable geographic representation for the continent.
During the session, AFCAC presented working papers promoting key African initiatives, notably the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). This initiative aims to liberalize African skies, enhance connectivity, reduce costs, and unlock opportunities for trade and tourism across the continent.
