Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, expressed the country’s support for the Delhi Declaration during the recent Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation held in New Delhi, India. Gavoka was elected as the Deputy Chair of the conference.
The inaugural Conference on Civil Aviation took place in 2018 in China and resulted in the Beijing Declaration, which fostered collaboration among states to address aviation-related challenges collectively. This ongoing commitment aligns with Fiji’s focus on prioritizing aviation safety.
Gavoka emphasized that the Delhi Declaration, which overrides the previous Beijing Declaration, represents a collective vision for managing aviation safety in the aftermath of the pandemic, aiming to create a resilient and dynamic air transport system in the Asia-Pacific region.
He underscored the importance of Fiji’s State Safety Programme as a fundamental element of its aviation safety strategy, highlighting the urgent need to establish an independent accident investigation authority. The Deputy Prime Minister called for solutions through regional partnerships and capacity-building initiatives to tackle these challenges effectively.
Gavoka’s goal is to ensure Fiji is prepared to respond independently and efficiently to any aviation incidents. The conference concluded with renewed commitments addressing significant aviation issues, including safety and security, air navigation services, facilitation, gender equality, environmental protection, funding for Civil Aviation, and international Air Law Treaties. Approximately 250 representatives from 41 countries participated in the event.