22nd September 2016 London, UK
UN Security Council Resolution 2309 : Aviation Security
Over the past year, we have seen a growing trend of terrorists targeting civil aviation. This has included attacks on airports in Brussels and Istanbul, the destruction of the Russian Metrojet aircraft over Sinai and the explosion on board a Daallo Airways flight from Mogadishu. These tragic attacks are a stark reminder of the urgent need to provide a secure aviation environment to protect the global community.
On Thursday 22 September, global leaders came together to tackle the challenge of aviation security at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The United Nations Security Council adopted its first ever resolution focused on the threat posed by terrorists to civil aviation., UNSCR 2309. The resolution demonstrates our clear and united resolve to protect all of our citizens from the escalating threat posed by terrorists to civil aviation. In its unanimous adoption of this resolution, the Security Council delivered five clear messages:
- Firstly, that the international community strongly condemns terrorist attacks against civil aviation. Such attacks pose a serious threat to international peace and security, as well as damage to economies and trading relationships.
- Secondly, that all states need to put in place effective security arrangements to safeguard aviation against terrorist attacks. This will require strong political commitment to ensure that sustainable measures are in place to deter terrorist attacks against civil aviation;.
- Thirdly, that all states need to work with and through the international regulatory body, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), to ensure that international standards keep pace with the threat.
- Fourthly, that provision for targeted capacity development, training and other technical assistance is also needed to enable all states to implement aviation security measures effectively.
- Finally, the international community needs enhanced collaboration to address the threat, risks and vulnerability including between ICAO and UN Counter Terrorism bodies.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK has been a leading force in the global effort to strengthen aviation security and encourages all nations to meet the international standards set out by ICAO.
More information on ICAO work on aviation security can be found at www.icao.int/Security/Pages/default.aspx
Dear Ms. Lin Yan,
I am Secretary General of TIACA – The International Air Cargo Association. Earlier on in my career I was one of the senior officials of ICAO. TIACA’s membership represents all the participants in the air cargo supply chain – to a large extent the target of this resolution.
I want to stress two practical aspects in the Security Council’s five messages:
– the need for provision for targeted capacity development, training and other technical assistance and
– the need for enhanced collaboration amongst the international community to address the threat, risks and vulnerability.
TIACA is willing and able to join the UN, ICAO, and the UK, as well as other interested parties in the efforts for implementation of this important resolution. We all need practical steps, not only strong words in resolutions. Ready to discuss.
Vladimir D. Zubkov
VZUBKOV7@GMAIL.COM
+1-613-620-63-37
http://WWW.TIACA.ORG
This is a really good example of FCO convening and driving power in the national security space – working across Whitehall and energising the international system. Air travellers can sleep a little safer in their airplane seats tonight, if there is much to be done to turn words into deeds.