ICAO holds meeting to enhance security without losing speed or economy

MORE than 700 officials attended the opening of the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) high-level conference on aviation security in an attempt to seek agreement on a number of critical priorities, including the implementation of new air cargo security measures.

Ministers and senior security officials representing 135 countries and 27 international organisations gathered at ICAO's Montreal headquarters, for the three-day security event which focuses on how to implement tighter security measures but on a more sustainable basis, the AirTrafficManagement.net reported.

"Civil aviation remains an attractive target for terrorists," said Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, president of the ICAO Council. "As terrorist threats evolve, we must adapt our strategies and improve collaboration so aviation remains a secure means of moving people and goods quickly and affordably.

"The comprehensive sharing of passenger information and other data, in conjunction with advanced risk analyses and the latest screening innovations, point us to a future where aviation can be as secure as it is today but less obtrusive to industry and passengers," said Mr Gonzalez.