Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka has expressed Fiji’s support for the Delhi Declaration, emphasizing the country’s dedication to enhancing safety, security, and innovation in the aviation sector. Gavoka participated in the second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation held in New Delhi, India, where he was elected as the Deputy Chair.
The inaugural Civil Aviation Conference took place in 2018 in China, concluding with the Beijing Declaration, which encouraged collaboration among states to tackle aviation challenges. This initiative aligns with the Fijian government’s commitment to prioritize aviation safety.
Gavoka noted that the conference aims to foster collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region to harmonize aviation growth. The Delhi Declaration, which builds upon the Beijing Declaration, establishes a political groundwork for Asia and Pacific nations to collectively pursue a vision for a resilient and dynamic air transport system in the post-pandemic era.
He highlighted Fiji’s State Safety Programme as a fundamental aspect of its aviation safety strategy, particularly in establishing an independent accident investigation authority. Gavoka underscored the importance of seeking collaborative solutions and building capacity to address existing challenges.
The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Fiji’s clear goal to effectively and independently manage any aviation incidents. The conference yielded renewed commitments to address various critical aviation issues, such as safety and security, air navigation services, gender equality, environmental protection, and resourcing for civil aviation and international air law treaties. The event saw the participation of around 250 representatives from 41 different countries.