ICAO officially launched the No Country Left Behind (NCLB) initiative on 7 December 2014 at the 70th Anniversary of ICAO. NCLB aims to enhance States’ air transport system and aligns with the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and its ambitious Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDG).
The NCLB campaign highlights ICAO’s existing and new efforts to assist States in implementing ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The primary goal of this work is to ensure that SARPs implementation is better harmonized globally so that all States have access to the significant socioeconomic benefits of a safe and reliable air transport system.
The NCLB initiative also promotes ICAO’s efforts to resolve Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) brought to light through ICAO’s safety oversight audits as well as other safety, security and emissions related objectives. ICAO is giving a new thrust towards that end, coordinating, facilitating and implementing comprehensive assistance programmes, in partnership with all stakeholders willing to help States enhancing their civil aviation systems and oversight capabilities.
In a nutshell, the NCLB Initiative:
- Supports UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
- Reflects ICAO’s mandate and operations;
- Is for ALL States and ALL Strategic Objectives;
- Focuses on increased State implementation of ICAO policies, plans, and SARPs and enhanced ICAO support for States with prioritized needs;
- Raises awareness on the importance and benefits of improved global air connectivity and aviation system access for sustainable growth, development and socio economic prosperity – travel, trade, tourism, employment sectors;
- Is a prerequisite for safe, secure, efficient, economically viable and environmentally sound air transport system.
NCLB Objectives
- Provide enhanced support for States in the effective implementation of ICAO’s policies, plans and SARPs in a more coordinated, comprehensive and harmonized manner;
- Promote the State’s resolution of Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) and Significant Security Concerns (SSeCs) and other deficiencies.
Under the global NCLB initiative, the EUR/NAT Office developed a regional capacity building programme implemented through a series of technical assistance projects (EUR CBP TA), according to the availability of funds and human resources.
Currently, from a total of nine technical assistance projects, eight of them are in various stages of development and implementation while one has already been concluded.
This article was originally written for the ICAO EUR/NAT Office’s Newsletter (Issue 1) on May 2017. A full list of their newsletters can be found here.