AKIPRESS.COM - The government of Mongolia, in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), hosted the Asia-Pacific Air Transport Facilitation Forum, Montsame reported.
This forum is notable for coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the adoption of Annex 9 to the Chicago Convention and the 100th anniversary of the development of civil aviation in Mongolia.
The forum was inaugurated by State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Munkhtushig Lkhanaajav, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority Torbaatar Erdene-Ochir and Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Juan Carlos Salazar. Director of the ICAO Asia-Pacific Office Ma Tao delivered a detailed presentation on "Air Transport Facilitation: Cooperation, Efficiency, and Accessibility."
In his opening remarks, State Secretary Munkhtushig Lkhanaajav underscored Mongolia's commitment to civil aviation as a vital link for international connectivity, trade, economic cooperation, and fostering cultural ties.
"From the perspective of multilateral cooperation, regional integration, and sustainable development principles of foreign policy, Mongolia views the civil aviation sector as a bridge for connecting with many foreign countries, expanding trade and economic cooperation, uniting peoples, and fostering development," he stated.
Lkhanaajav expressed confidence that the forum would mark a new chapter in regional aviation cooperation, reaffirming Mongolia's dedication to collaborating with ICAO, its member states, and all relevant parties to streamline air transport procedures.
ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar congratulated Mongolia on the 100th anniversary of its civil aviation. He highlighted that global air passenger numbers are projected to soar from 4.6 billion in 2024 to 12.4 billion by 2050, with a significant portion of this growth concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. This necessitates strategic investments in facilitation infrastructure.
Salazar emphasized that facilitation is key to ensuring safe, controlled, and swift border crossings, forming the bedrock for implementing Annex 9 of the Chicago Convention, border management, passenger data systems, travel documents, and accessibility standards. He noted that facilitation is embedded in ICAO's Strategic Plan 2026–2050 as a goal for "accessible, reliable, and optimized air transport for all," and referred to the "Doha Declaration" adopted by over 50 ministers. Salazar urged a focus on two strategic directions: strengthening cross-border and cross-sectoral cooperation, and accelerating digital innovations while ensuring system integration.
Civil Aviation Authority Director General Torbaatar Erdene-Ochir detailed Mongolia's recent progress in adhering to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). He highlighted the implementation of Advance Passenger Information (API), Passenger Name Record (PNR), e-gates, and digital services at Chinggis Khaan International Airport, as well as improved coordination by the National Facilitation Committee and accession to ICAO's Public Key Directory (PKD).
"The issues to be discussed at the forum address pressing and real challenges such as e-migration, robust travel document security, regional cooperation, and capacity building, which are fundamental to making regional air transport safer, more accessible, and more efficient," Erdene-Ochir stressed.
He proposed the slogan "From Mongolia to the World: Seamless Skies Ahead". This slogan underscores the aim of expanding trade, tourism, diplomatic, and human relations through air transport, fostering closer ties with the international community.
Torbaatar suggested that the next step to confirm the forum's outcomes would be to develop and present a regional facilitation roadmap at the 59th meeting of the ICAO Asia-Pacific Directors General of Civil Aviation in September, marking a significant step towards integrating the forum's discussions into international decision-making mechanisms.
Ma Tao, ICAO Asia-Pacific Director, noted that air transport has become more extensive than ever, creating an urgent need to simplify border crossing processes for passengers, cargo, and aircraft. He stated that facilitation is a crucial driver of economic development, security, and seamless passenger movement.
He highlighted that the legal basis for facilitation lies in Articles 14, 22, 23, and 37 of the Chicago Convention, which govern pandemics, border control, and passenger management, providing the framework for implementing ICAO SARPs. Tao emphasized facilitation's intrinsic links to Annex 9 – Facilitation, the ICAO TRIP strategy, and the Public Key Directory (PKD).
Director Tao Ma outlined the key strategic directions of IATA's 2026–2028 facilitation strategy, including ensuring the effective implementation of Annex 9, developing national programs for member states, ensuring passenger data security, and strengthening regional coordination.
He noted that global passenger numbers are projected to reach 8.4 billion by 2040 and 12.4 billion by 2050, up from 2.7 billion in 2010, underscoring the acute need for a modernized, flexible, and accessible facilitation system. Tao Ma described the forum as a rare opportunity to enhance regional coordination and elevate future cooperation, urging joint implementation of the principles of "cooperation, efficiency, and accessibility" to effectively promote air transport facilitation in the region.
The Asia-Pacific Air Transport Facilitation Forum (FALF 2025) was attended by Head of Facilitation at the IATA Air Transport Bureau Nargess Abdennebi, Public Key Directory Fund Programs Lead Ciaran Carolan, officials from ICAO headquarters in Montreal, representatives from Asia-Pacific member states, representatives of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Interpol, and approximately 150 representatives from relevant Mongolian organizations.