— LCAA Director General engages in ICAO GISS 2025 and GSAM
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Julius D. Dennis Jr., Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), led a high – level delegation to the international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) 2025 and Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace (GSAM) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from February 10- 12, 2025.
The event focused on the future of aviation, emphasizing sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and international cooperation.
GISS 2025 provided a vital platform for industry leaders and policymakers to address evolving regulations, global collaboration, and advanced training needs for aviation sector growth. Director General Dennis actively participated in panel discussions, contributing insights on key industry challenges and opportunities.
A significant aspect of the symposium was ICAO’s ongoing No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative, aiming to support all member states in achieving global aviation standards. Ministerial and Director General level dialogues centered on resource mobilization, regulatory advancements, and long-term strategic goals for the sector.
GSAM, a newly introduced segment of the event, provided a dedicated forum for aviation stakeholders to explore cutting – edge sustainability solutions and strategies for reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.
During the opening session, Abdulla bin Touq AL Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), underscored aviation’s significant contribution to global GDP and employment, emphasizing the need for continued investment and innovation in the sector.
Strengthening International Cooperation
In a key engagement, Director-General Dennis met with ICAO Secretary-General Juan Carlos Salazar and ICAO West and Central African Office (WACAF) Deputy Regional Director Nica Mahzi. He provided an update on Liberia’s progress in addressing regulatory challenges and enhancing its Effective Implementation (EI) score following the 2022 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Safety Oversight Audit.
Mr. Dennis reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to a structured improvement roadmap and requested ICAO’s continued technical support.
Secretary-General Salazar praised Liberia’s commitment and confirmed that ICAO’s regional office would actively support the country’s aviation development efforts. An ICAO delegation is set to visit Liberia in April to further assess its needs and provide targeted assistance.
Expanding Partnerships for Aviation Development
On the sidelines of the symposium, Director-General Dennis signed two significant Technical Cooperation Agreements one with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and another with the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority. These agreements focus on technical collaboration, capacity building, and training initiatives to enhance Liberia’s aviation sector.
Additionally, Mr. Dennis engaged in bilateral discussions with Shannon Scott, Vice President for Sustainability and Environment at Emirates Airlines, exploring potential collaborations in aviation sustainability. A training cooperation agreement with the UAE GCAA was also finalized, granting LCAA access to high-quality training programs aimed at strengthening Liberia’s aviation safety oversight capabilities.
Director-General Dennis’s participation in ICAO GISS 2025 and GSAM underscores Liberia’s commitment to advancing aviation safety, sustainability, and international partnerships, positioning the country as an active player in global aviation development.
