From Word to Results on Global Aviation Security

This article describes how the Declaration on Aviation Security, which was unanimously adopted by the 37th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly last year, set the stage for continuing improvements in how threats to the security of aircraft and facilities worldwide will be dealt with in the future. The catalyst was the attempted bombing of a commercial airliner on 25 December 2009. Shortly after that incident, ICAO convened a series of Ministerial-level conferences on aviation security in Mexico City, Tokyo, Abuja and Abu Dhabi. In all of the meetings, there was a strong commitment by states to protect civil aviation from all kinds of terrorist threats, as well as an expression of collective responsibility for taking action. The article shows how the Declaration draws together these commitments into a single approach to deal with current as well as new and emerging threats to the global air transportation system.