DAE University, GCAA and ICAO to host Air Transport and Global Climate Change conference

The meet, featuring international experts, will discuss the critical environmental issues facing leaders in the aviation and aerospace industry.

The conference will explore various facets of climate change issues vis-à-vis the air travel industry including the role of technology in stablising and reduction of emissions, policy and regulatory action, and the possibility of pre-competitive research and technologies being shared by the industry leaders and the government.

Dr. George H. Ebbs, President and Chief Executive Officer, DAE University, said:

"Climate change is one of the key issues in sustainable development initiatives, and is of vital importance to the aviation sector. It has been estimated that aviation contributes to about two per cent of the total carbon emissions globally. The first conference on the topic, to be held in Dubai, will put the spotlight on the challenges faced by the aviation and aerospace sector from the perspective of air transport leaders and strive to arrive at meaningful solutions, which could set global benchmarks."

H.E. Mohamed Ghanim Al Ghaith, Director General, GCAA, added: "Hosting the conference is particularly relevant to the burgeoning air transport industry of the region, which will have one of the highest growth rates in the aviation industry. GCAA, along with DAE University and ICAO, is taking a leadership role in assessing the global environmental impact of air transport and promoting opportunities for reducing and eventually neutralizing the effect of the sector on climate change."

The conference will assess whether new technologies are being developed fast enough to achieve positive environmental benefits, and discuss the appropriate legal and political mechanisms in place to address the issue. Industry leaders will also explore whether modern approaches to improve the environmental impact of air transport can be treated non-competitively among the key players to eventually roll out a concerted plan of action for the whole industry.

Dr. Taïeb Chérif, Secretary General of ICAO said; "As a policy maker for this industry our organization wants to help highlight the shifting dynamics of the aviation sector. Industry leaders are primed for international issues, and thus, are effectively equipped to meet future challenges. The gaps in knowledge can be filled only through interactive sessions that bring together global thought-leaders. This conference is aimed at streamlining information flow - locally, regionally and globally and providing our industry with practical direction."

Mr Jalal Haidar, Permanent Representative of the UAE to ICAO, added: "The aviation sector in the Gulf region has made rapid strides and is internationally recognized as a key segment offering high-growth potential. We have to work together to focus our attention on key international issues, some of them extremely critical towards the long-term profitability and stability of the industry. The debate over global warming should not penalize air transportation, nor should it be at the expense of economic growth. In fact a balanced approach can be achieved to reach common objectives to protect our environment."

Prominent industry leaders will address the conference and a steering committee comprising aviation experts has already been instituted. Key members include: His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Governmental Sector Development; Dr. Taïeb Chérif, Secretary General of ICAO; H. E. Mohamed Ghanim Al Ghaith; The Honorable Jeffrey Shane, Undersecretary for Policy of US Department of Transportation; Dr. George Ebbs; The Honorable Marion Blakey, President and CEO of Aerospace Industries; and Scott Carson, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Patrick Goudou, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Todd Kallman, President, Commercial Engines, Pratt & Whitney, and representatives from EADS are invitees to the event among others.

DAE University and the GCAA, in collaboration with ICAO, are in the forefront of several key initiatives that give a new direction of growth for the aviation and aerospace industry, and the Conference is expected to create a new platform that facilitates exchange of ideas between the regional and international experts in the sector. For more information, please visit the conference website -