Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka, has expressed the country’s support for the Delhi Declaration, reaffirming its commitment to promoting safety, security, and innovation within the aviation sector. Gavoka participated in the second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in New Delhi, India, where he was elected as the Deputy Chair.
The inaugural Conference on Civil Aviation took place in China in 2018, concluding with the Beijing Declaration, which set the groundwork for collaborative actions among states to address various aviation challenges. This underscores the Fijian government’s dedication to prioritizing aviation safety through continuous cooperation.
Gavoka emphasized that the Conference serves as a collective commitment from the Asia-Pacific region to foster collaboration for cohesive regional aviation development. The Delhi Declaration, which replaces the Beijing Declaration, establishes a political framework for Asia and Pacific nations to articulate their vision for a resilient and dynamic air transport system in the post-pandemic era.
He highlighted that Fiji’s State Safety Programme is fundamental to its aviation safety endeavors and pointed out the critical need for an independent accident investigation authority as a key challenge. Gavoka underscored the importance of exploring solutions through regional partnerships and focused capacity-building efforts to tackle these issues.
The Deputy Prime Minister outlined Fiji’s clear objective: to ensure an effective and independent response to any aviation incidents. The Conference concluded with renewed commitments aimed at tackling pressing aviation issues, including safety and security, air navigation services, gender equality, environmental sustainability, civil aviation resourcing, and adherence to international air law treaties. Approximately 250 representatives from 41 countries participated in the event.