A D-8 meeting on aviation security and development of the sector began in Dhaka Sunday with a call from the host for stronger cooperation in matters of training, expertise, infrastructure investment and compliance with the international safety standards for secure air transport.
The meet of the grouping of eight developing countries assumes high significance for some recent airway tragedies that evidently pose security risks in the field of civil aviation.
Addressing the inaugural function as chief guest, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon said there is no scope for compromise on air-transport safety and that it could be ensured through regional cooperation in strengthening compliance with the international safety standards.
"Bangladesh government believes that there is no scope to compromise on the safety issues related to air transport, and hope that D-8 WGCA will further strengthen the regional cooperation to comply with international, regional and national civil-aviation safety standards," he told his audience.
Heads of civil aviation department or authorities of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey are attending the two-day 8th D-8 Working Group on Civil Aviation (WGCA) and Directors-General Meeting at a local hotel.
Mr Khan emphasized the importance of D-8 Civil Aviation cooperation and expected future joint action in continuation of training, sharing expertise and infrastructure investment and harmonization for implementation of ICAO's Standard and Recommended Practices (SARP).
The minister said not only the civil aviation authorities but all the stakeholders of D-8 countries should work together and assist one another to find solution to the problems. They should also extend their cooperation to the regulatory body in making decisions to overcome the regional and global crisis.
He reiterated the government's commitment to contributing to the globally harmonised aviation activities.
"To uphold the commitment, assurance of safety and security in the air transport is our first and foremost priority," he said.
The minister told the meet that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is entrusted with the state responsibility to ensue implementation of international standards and recommended practices and maintaining safety oversight in aviation operations.
CAAB chairman Air Vice-Marshal Mahmud Hussain said there is scope to work together to improve safety while expediting the movement of passengers and goods at the same time. Now a number of joint initiatives are required.
"We have a long road to travel. The journey along this path may call for compromise; that is almost certain. One of our first tasks will be to find consensus at a point," said Mr Hussain.
He said the most fundamental challenge ahead of the civil-aviation authorities is to develop aviation personnel to cater future needs.
"We can transform our large population into human resources through education, training and excellence. I hope the D-8 group can develop substantial number of aviation personnel to meet the future global challenge," he said.
D-8 WGCA secretary-general Sayed Ali Mohammad Mousavi and tourism secretary Khorshed Alam Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
D-8 meet focuses on air safety risks, necessary safeguards
FE Report | Published: August 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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